PORT DICKSON: A Malaysian Indian man who bears a Chinese name has had his MyKad seized by authorities who are suspicious of his identity.
Tang Woon Seng, 34, who was adopted by a Chinese family after his biological parents could not care for him, now holds a temporary identity card, and is facing difficulties over not having a MyKad.
Woon Sen’s adoptive father had registered him as his “biological son”, and he was brought up as Chinese along with his six siblings at Kampung Baru Site A, Tanah Merah, Port Dickson.
"I grew up as a Chinese, and did not even speak Tamil. Many wonder, when they find out about my Chinese name, why I have a dark skin tone.
"I do not feel frustrated or embarrassed, because the people in my hometown know my history. They know my father took me in and raised me 34 years ago," he said when met by Harian Metro.
Woon Seng said problems began when he tried to obtain a marriage application, as he had planned to wed 16 years ago.
He said the authorities thought he was using fake information – but an investigation found that an error was committed when his adoptive father registered his birth certificate.
"My adoptive father listed me as a ‘biological child’ and did not know that it was wrong. “In fact, I did not have a problem when having my MyKad made at the National Registration Department (NRD) when I was 12 years old.
"Only when I wanted to marry did the problem arise. I was given a temporary identity card, which states that I am not a citizen.
“My son is also registered as a non-citizen," he said.
Meanwhile, NRD Director-General Datuk Mohd Yazid Ramli said further investigation is being made on the case.
Translated from Harian Metro