PORT KLANG, March 11 — The National Registration Department (NRD) has received a total of 80,389 applications for matters relating to identity cards and birth and death registrations through the ‘Menyemai Kasih Rakyat’ (Mekar) programme since 2019.

NRD deputy director-general (operations) Saiful Yazan Alwi said the initiative was to facilitate those who found it difficult to physically go to NRD branches, such as the disabled (OKU), the elderly, bedridden patients, and those living in the interiors.

"The issue of not having identification documents often occurs in remote areas because it is difficult to register (go to NRD), there are issues such as language barriers and a lack of access to facilities as well as lack of knowledge.

"When the time comes (for them) to receive government assistance, they need an identity card, but they don’t have the document, only then do they realise its importance. So we will help in that sense,” he told reporters following the Mekar Ihsan programme with the residents of Pulau Ketam here, today.

He said for this year, as of February, the NRD had received 3,172 applications.

Saiful Yazan also welcomed local village or community leaders who faced difficulties in updating identification documents in their areas to inform the NRD to run the Mekar programme there.

Meanwhile, Tan Hou Thong, 65, said he was relieved that issues with regard to his damaged identity card and birth certificate managed to be resolved today.

"I suffered a stroke three years ago, I couldn’t go to the NRD (nearest branch) to renew my identification documents.

"Even today, I couldn’t go to the card handing over ceremony because I can’t walk properly yet, luckily they (JPN) were willing to send it to my house,” he said.

Mekar is JPN’s proactive approach to ensuring that every resident in Malaysia who is qualified applies for and obtains a valid identification document.

The public can call 03-88808014/ 03-88807077 or email mekar@jpn.gov.my for more information about the programme. — Bernama