GEORGE TOWN: To many of us, the MyKad is nothing more than a document which we occasionally use. But to 64-year-old R. Alliamah, it is solid proof of her status as a proud Malaysian.
Having tried unsuccessfully for four decades to obtain a MyKad for herself, her wish was finally granted today when she was presented with the document.
Alliamah shed tears of joy when National Registration Department (NRD) director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh personally handed over her brand new identity card today.
"Terima kasih, terima kasih. Saya banyak gembira (Thank you, thank you. I am very happy)," Alliamah said as she wiped away her tears while being calmed by Ruslin.
Alliamah said she had been made numerous attempts to get the identification card since she was 20, all to no avail.
"I'm not educated. I come from a very poor family and as such, I had to depend on others to help me to get the MyKad. Some of these people even asked for payments but I did not get my MyKad at all," she said.
Her husband, S. Sahar Segaran, died at age 39, leaving her to care for their seven children.
"I was just working as a cook then. My priority back then was the wellbeing of my children. I had to give up any hope of getting my MyKad as I could not afford the payments asked of me.
"I thought I would never ever get the MyKad. But today, I am the happiest woman. I finally got the MyKad to prove that I am a citizen of this country and I can enjoy the benefits like other citizens of this country.
"This is the best gift ever," she said when met at the state NRD office at Jalan Anson here. She was accompanied by some of her children, including her son, Mohd Faizal Abdullah, 45.
Alliamah was born in Liberty Wood Estate in Kulim, Kedah on Jan 1, 1958 to M. Ramasamy and M. Anjalay, both Malaysians. Both her parents have died.
She is the fourth of seven children. All her six siblings have their identification documents, including birth certificates and MyKad.
Unfortunately for Alliamah, her family home was razed in a fire when she was born, burning with it all the relevant documents to register her birth at that time.
Faizal said he sought help from various quarters, including local leaders and political parties, who finally referred him to an officer from the NRD.
He said his mother started her formal application with the NRD in December last year and finally received her MyKad today.
"I just want to thank each and every one for making this possible, and for making my mother's wish to have her Mykad come true.
"My only advice to others facing a similar predicament out there is to go directly to the NRD. They are always ready to help anyone," he added.
Meanwhile, Ruslin said as soon as they received Alliamah's application, the Penang NRD conducted a DNA test to prove Alliamah's ties with her other siblings.
He said after recording interviews, carrying out record searches, DNA test and retrieving supporting documents from Alliamah's siblings, the NRD's late birth registration committee panel approved Alliamah's application on March 23 this year, and her birth certificate as a Malaysian was issued the following day.
"With the birth certificate, Alliamah applied for her MyKad on March 31 and finally got her MyKad today," he said.