Since the Stateless People Programme was formed in February, the Penang government has to date assisted 265 individuals to apply for proper documentation including birth certificates, identity cards and citizenship.

However, the process is slow and arduous, and it is uncertain when the applications can be approved by the National Registration Department (NRD) in Putrajaya, said Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.

“So far, the NRD has been cooperative but we have been informed that the application would take some time to process, up to one year, as the cases have to be submitted to its office in Putrajaya,” he told a press conference today.

“We will start to put pressure on them to speed up the matter,” he vowed, adding, “We can only facilitate. We are not the federal government.”

Although most of the stateless persons are of Indian origin, many Chinese and Indian Muslims also suffered a similar plight, said Ramasamy.

The effort follows a similar move by the Selangor government which started registering its stateless persons in May last year.

This came after December 2011, where a government task force under the Prime Minister’s Office had registered 14,882 ‘stateless’ people, predominantly from the Indian community.

Up to yesterday, the programme has assisted 92 individuals who have yet to apply for their birth certificates and identity cards.

These are individuals whose parents are Malaysians but have yet to obtain or apply for the documents.

The programme officers representing the five districts in Penang have helped 151 individuals with permanent residentship to apply for citizenships, and 22 cases related to immigration, marriage and adoption of children.

The 151 are individuals possess red identity cards and have now submitted their applications for a blue IC.

Ramasamy, who heads the programme, said the applications have been sent to Putrajaya for processing.

‘Long and winding road’

“It’s a long and winding road for the stateless persons as they embark on a journey to obtain their proper documentation despite being born and bred in the country,” he said today.

“Most stateless persons have very little education and are not fluent in the national language, Bahasa Malaysia,” he added.

“Applications for citizenship involve very complicated procedures and strong supporting documents are needed,” he added.

Ramasamy said the five officers appointed to assist the stateless persons have been collecting the necessary data and information from those who do not possess birth certificates, identity cards and those who only have permanent residentship.

He added that the officers have been meeting on a monthly basis to compile the data and information related to the stateless persons, including preparing reports on the findings.

The first meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Nov 3 last year.

The programme officers are Chiam Heng Haik (for Northeast district), Abdul Rahim Mohamed Nor (Southwest), Ketenasamy Krishnasamy (Seberang Perai North), Subramanian Arumugam (Seberang Perai Central) and Gunalan Rengasamy (Seberang Perai South).

“The assemblypersons and MPs in each constituencies have been roped in as well to help in this initiative,” said Ramasamy.