I’M deeply touched by the sympathy shown by the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah towards R. Ragu when he, his wife and children desperately went to seek his help as required by the National Registration Department after Ragu was deemed to be a “stateless” man with no identification document to apply for MyKad (”Sultan: Give Ragu ID papers” — NST, Sept 27).

The sultan expressed grave concern over the plight of Ragu and his family and was gracious enough to instruct the NRD to issue temporary identification papers to Ragu.

It should be remembered that there are many people in the country like Ragu who do not have birth certificates to prove their birth in Malaysia. As a result, they cannot apply for MyKad.

This is not due to their own fault but their parents’ failure to obtain the documents, mainly because of their ignorance.

In this regard, it is gratifying to note that the MIC has embarked on a nationwide campaign to register such cases and help them obtain birth certificates.

It is impossible to get a job without an official identification document.

As a former NRD officer (1970-1977), I would like to appeal to the department to give favourable consideration to such deserving applicants so that they will be able to get a job and support their families without becoming a burden to the country and society.

S. RAGUNATHAN, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – September 30, 2008