MACHANG, March 25 — Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said unregistered marriages, jailed or absent parents, and misconceptions about registration costs have left 12,000 to 13,000 cases of late birth and MyKad registrations recorded annually.
He said some parents delay registering their children due to confusion or the mistaken belief that fees are required, although the process is free. Saifuddin said the government waives fines for late registrations and is intensifying outreach through the National Registration Department in collaboration with NGOs.
He cited a recent case in Kelantan where nine family members received proper documentation within a month. He also announced a fast-track Technical and Vocational Education and Training pathway for youths without MyKad, enabling them to enrol in skills-based programmes despite lacking school certificates.
