KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — Despite being born in Penang to a Malaysian father, 21-year-old Melissa is still unable to obtain a Malaysian identity card (IC) from the National...
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — Despite being born in Penang to a Malaysian father, 21-year-old Melissa is still unable to obtain a Malaysian identity card from the National Registration Department and is seeking the Home Ministry’s help for her situation to be resolved.
While her parents married in July 2001 in Indonesia, they were only able to register their marriage in Malaysia in November 2002. This means Melissa was born before her parents’ marriage was registered in Malaysia, and this would later cause her to grow up without a Malaysian IC. “But the coach that handled me told me my chances are still very thin as I don’t hold proper documents, so I totally gave up on rhythmic gymnastics and stopped playing rhythmic gymnastics as I don’t see any hope of getting my IC done before Sukma,” she said.
While she was able to complete her primary education in a primary school in George Town, Penang with UPSR scores of A and B for the two Bahasa Melayu papers, Melissa could not complete her studies at a secondary school in Penang. Melissa had in 2020 won the Miss Grand KL beauty pageant along with the pageant’s Miss Popularity category and was also a finalist in the beauty pageant Dewi Remaja 2022, and has a list of multiple acting roles, including as the heroine in the telemovies, with main supporting roles and supporting roles for telemovies, films and dramas produced by companies such as RTM, Astro and Metrowealth.
“But I don’t have it with me since my dad lost it,” she said, adding that all original documents including her birth certificate had been lost. After explaining that her mother has left the family years ago and her father was frequently unavailable, the NRD wanted her to bring at least her father, she said.
Without any letter from the NRD regarding her status, Melissa said she can only rely on her birth certificate. According to Melissa, she had been stopped at road blocks several times but could only provide her birth certificate and had to explain to the authorities about her IC problems.
Asked if she has tried to check and get confirmation from the Indonesian embassy that she does not have Indonesian citizenship, Melissa said she has never thought of becoming an Indonesian. In a statement yesterday afternoon, the NRD said it has contacted Melissa to obtain the facts about her case and said her case was being looked at.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China tech firm xFusion partners Malaysian manufacturer NationGate to open RM1.7b facility in PenangSEBERANG PERAI, Sept 1 — Leading global provider of computer power infrastructure and services, xFusion International Pte Ltd, has partnered with NationGate Holdings Berhad to...
Read more »
Syed Saddiq Shares a Story About a M’sian Who Hasn’t Received Her IC Despite Being Born & Raised HereBeing a Malaysian without a proper Identification Card (IC) sounds impossible, but Syed Saddiq had a real-life story to tell. In his Instagram post last night (September 1), Syed Saddiq shared the story of a 21-year-old Malaysian from Penang, Melissa Aurellia , who was born, raised and educated in the country. “Her family and friends […]
Read more »
Penang Woman Shocked To Learn 8yo Daughter Earned RM1,550 From Gambling At SchoolThe 8-year-old then excitedly shared how she got the money, revealing that she was gambling amongst her friends during lunch break. According to the mother,
Read more »
Penang CM: Preliminary works on man-made Silicon Island starts todayGEORGE TOWN, Sept 1 — Preliminary works to create Silicon Island off the southern coast of Penang Island starts today, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today. He said the state...
Read more »
Work on Penang's Silicon Island to start on Sept 1, says CMGEORGE TOWN: Early works on Penang's man-made island project – Silicon Island – will begin on Friday (Sept 1) after it secured approval from the relevant agencies, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Read more »
Work starts on Penang’s Silicon Island today after green lightChief minister Chow Kon Yeow says the department of environment has given the final nod to the reclamation project.
Read more »