A 42-year-old Iban man officially pronounced dead by the National Registration Department (NRD) four years ago is to get his 'life' back after the department became convinced he is very much alive.

A much-relieved Minggu Mang Madang of Sibu, told reporters yesterday that NRD has promised to issue a surat rasmi or official letter to certify that he is alive so he can carry on with his normal life again after three long agonising years.

His nightmare began before Christmas 2003 when on trying to renew his driving licence, the Road Transport Department told him he could not do so when he was offcially classified as 'dead'.

Minggu was forced to go to the media to highlight his case about a fortnight ago after losing patience with the NRD and the police for failing to take action since he reported what he suspected a fraud involving some people in reporting his 'death' to the authorities since 2003.

In one police report, lodged in May last year, he alleged that five men and a timber company were involved in the alleged fraud that had caused him so much distraught and misery and loss of identity status.

He told reporters the five responsible for putting him in predicament included an individual who identified a dead man as him, a medical officer, two NRD personnel and the manager of a timber camp.

The NRD had been provided with the identities of the five men, Minggu said at a press conference held at Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) office in the presence of executive secretary Spencer Birai.

Minggu could afford to smile a little after the NRD on Thursday promised to issue him with MyKad.

Cannot find work

According to the death certificate, he had 'died' on the way to Bintulu Hospital in Nyabau on January 18, 2002, from "massive intracranial bleeding due to multiple skull fractures." At the time, Minggi said he was doing contract work in a housing project in Sarikei.

Because he had been declared 'dead' by the NRD, he could not find work as all his documents - identity card, passport, driving licence and birth certificate - had become invalid

Not only was there difficulty in getting a job but his bank accounts were all closed, he added.

"Only my EPF contributions are still intact." he said, adding that he was fortunate to have friends who helped during the hard times.

Minggu said he intended to approach the timber company that was supposed to employ the 'dead Minggu' in order to get to the bottom of the matter. He also wanted those responsible for his predicament punished.

This was because his nightmare all started from the timber company. His 'last address' on the death certificate was given as the timber camp.

"What I know so far is that two men claimed the deceased from the hospital and the police said one of them is now in Marudi, Baram," he added.

Minggi also revealed the name of the person who reported his 'death' at Bintulu , his identity card number and last known address in Bintulu.