KAJANG: After a gruelling five-year journey, Hasmida Hamid can now breathe a sigh of relief, having finally secured birth certificates for her four children.
The single mother said the years spent navigating bureaucratic challenges were also further complicated by her financial situation and a lack of support from her ex-husband.
Hasmida said her ordeal began when her second marriage, conducted overseas, was not registered with local religious authorities upon her return to Malaysia.
This oversight meant that her children were not issued birth certificates, leaving them without access to basic rights and services.
The financial burden of trying to resolve the documentation issue weighed heavily on Hasmida.
She explained how the cost of paying fines for late registration and transportation fees delayed her efforts.
"I was stuck because I didn't have enough money to pay the fine for late registration and to cover the Grab rides to and from Semenyih.
"I tried to get help from my ex-husband, but he kept delaying, saying we didn't have the money. Eventually, I had to do it all on my own."
Hasmida was met by reporters after receiving the birth certificates and MyKid for her four children from Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifudin Nasution Ismail.
She said, after her story went viral on social media, the National Registration Department reached out to her on Oct 21 to assist with the case.
It was revealed that Hasmida had to quit her job as a security guard at the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry to take care of her youngest child who suffered health complications.
For Hasmida, these documents represent more than legal papers; they are a new lease on life for her children, allowing them to access essential services, including healthcare and education.
"It feels like I can finally move forward. I've worked so hard for this, and now my children can have a future."
Describing her years of struggle, Hasmida said her fight was not only against red tape but also against time.
One of her children was seriously ill, battling a dangerous bacterial infection that saw frequent visits to the hospital.
She expressed deep gratitude to the hospital staff for their compassion in treating her child despite the lack of official documentation.
"Without the birth certificate, I didn't know if they would admit my child. But the doctors were so kind and allowed the treatment to continue."
Throughout her battle, Hasmida also leaned on the support of government aid.
She received assistance from the Welfare Department and zakat, though the absence of birth certificates made accessing some services difficult.
Hasmida expressed her gratitude to the authorities who helped her to the end.
"I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the Home Ministry and the National Registration Department for helping me get my children's documents.
"Only Allah can repay them for what they've done."