JOHOR BARU: A 19-month-old baby, who was born with a cleft-lip and abandoned by her drug addict mother, has received her birth certificate recently thanks to the Johor government's collaborative effort.
State Women, Family, and Community Development Committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail said the state Social Welfare Department, National Registration Department and Johor Women's League (Jewel) had closely worked together to ensure that the baby girl named "Fatimah" had access to essential services and rights as a Malaysian.
The New Straits Times first highlighted the family's plea in February, after her 69-year-old illiterate grandmother Normah Asinar claimed that Fatimah and her three siblings were abandoned by her daughter at the five-foot way of a shoplot in Ipoh, Perak.
Since the report made headlines, it was also discovered that Fatimah was a victim of abuse with severe health issues. She underwent a series of corrective surgeries to repair her cleft lip and ease her breathing issues.
Khairin-Nisa said state agencies had come forward to help to the child and her siblings.
"Jewel played a key role in submitting her late birth registration application. They also helped with the registration of her siblings to school and with the fees.
"The collective commitment of the government and organisations involved in helping Fatimah, exemplifies the spirit of 'berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing' (shared responsibility)," she said, extending gratitude to all parties who assisted in Fatimah's recovery and legal documentation.
She added both the Johor Islamic Religious Council and state Welfare Department had pledged continued support for Fatimah and her grandmother.
With the assistance, Normah now receives a monthly aid of RM1,600, and the rental for her People's Housing Project flat in Kempas Permai would be paid for by the state housing and local government committee chairman.
Khairin-Nisa, together with Johor Social Welfare Department director Pathmanathan R. Nalasamy, state Welfare officer Norhafizah Ahmad and State Assistant Community Development officer Jamalluddin Hassan, visited Normah recently to hand over Fatimah's birth certificate and MyKid.