masterwordsmith-unplugged

About 37pc have voted up to 12 noon at polling stations across Sibu after an intensive eight-day campaign for the precursor to Sarawak’s next state election. That is really poor voter turnout. We will know why later.

This morning, The Star reported HERE:

The number of people born in the country, particularly in Sarawak, and still do not have the MyKad and other personal documents surprises even Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said the National Registration Department's mobile units had found that as many as 30,000 people did not have MyKad, 96,000 people did not have birth certificates and more than 60,000 people were holders of red identity cards.

The majority of these cases were in Sarawak, he said.

“In Sibu itself, there are people living and working here who have no MyKads! We did not know the problem was so widespread. We knew many rural people did not have these personal documents but not in the cities and towns.

“I am committed to resolving these problems because they are among the top priorities for the Government's key performance indicators,'' he said during a luncheon with community associations here.

He said his ministry aimed at processing applications for personal documents within two months.

I am wondering why he should be surprised at this situation which is widespread in East Malaysia, especially in Sabah. I am also puzzled as to why he has not acknowledged that the situation is worse in Sabah. Judging from his statements in the report, it seems that he is trying to gain mileage for BN in tandem with its campaigning efforts for the Sibu by-election.

In October 2008, Suhakam had highlighted the problem HERE. The report said:

MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam has estimated that at least 20,000 Malaysian Indians were still without identification papers.

He said that this could just be the tip of the iceberg.

“This problem has lingered on for too long and it seems there are no serious efforts being taken to solve it.If the problem lies with the system or the bureaucracy, then change the system or simplify the procedures. Don’t trouble the people so much,” he said.

He suggested that the NRD hire more officials who could speak the local dialects to help locals get registered.

Obviously, the problem is NOT particularly in Sarawak alone but especially in Sabah and other places. MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniamhas already said that there are no serious efforts to resolve the situation but I guess miracles and enlightenment, not forgetting surprises happen during by-elections!!!

Hmm.....