Identity documents crucial to help street children escape shackles of poverty

KUALA LUMPUR: If only these children could glimpse a brighter future and soar to greater heights like their peers. Yet, the chains of poverty, absence of identity documents, and a myriad of challenges confine street children to the alleys of the capital, leaving them seemingly without a beacon of hope at the end of the tunnel.

Are the government's endeavours for the upliftment of this minority community insufficient to pave the way for success? This question is explored in the second segment of a special report delving into the ongoing debate surrounding the prospects of these street children.

In the quiet stillness of almost 1 am, the lively laughter of street children echoes in the nocturnal enclave around Lorong Haji Taib 2.

Unperturbed by the late hour, they cycle, run, and hang out in the parking lot outside a Mamak restaurant on the street - it's a scene that has become all too familiar.

To outsiders observing the lives of children around Chow Kit, it may seem plausible that some would believe this community lacks a promising and vibrant future, with no clear direction or even any potential for success.

The reality, however, is that these children are not only well-disciplined but also intelligent and some have even been accepted into institutions of higher learning, thus proving that this community is also capable of soaring higher.

"These children are very disciplined. For example, when they sing the Negaraku, they stand up straight in an orderly manner, and they are also polite when communicating.

All this while, they only saw other children going to school and they didn't have a chance," Zamzuri Abdullah remarked to Bernama.

The principal of Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih (SBJK), who has been overseeing the school for the past five months, challenges preconceived notions about the children in Chow Kit.

He describes upon firsthand interaction, the resilient spirit among these children, with many showing dedication to change and nurturing their dreams.

This is shown by the significant increase in parents who send their children to the school compared to when it was established 10 years ago, thus proving their commitment to ensuring that these children do not inherit the shackles of poverty, he highlighted.

Nevertheless, while the government's commendable initiative of establishing SBJK in the Chow Kit community aims to prevent school dropouts, it is also crucial to assist these children obtain identification documents, a task their parents failed to do at their birth.

"Parents used to worry about having to pay fees, and some worried that their children might be taken away and handed over to someone else (if they had no citizenship documents), but it's not the case anymore. The challenge now is to obtain identity documents.

"If this aspect is not addressed, these excellent students would be unable to go anywhere. For example, to university, or secure a job to escape this bleak life," he emphasised.

He added that SBJK has a total of 152 pupils and students aged four to 19, the majority of whom do not have identity documents, are orphaned, homeless, or facing social issues.

It is essential to address this situation, especially since there were former outstanding students who faced challenges in applying for public university admissions online because they lacked identification documents.

In one case, SBJK and the Ministry of Education took the initiative to meet with the university and submitted the student's potential and exam results to facilitate a special admission application process.

"Alhamdulillah, the student was finally accepted and is now pursuing a Bachelor's degree. We are also in the process of applying for an identity document from the National Registration Department," he explained.

This is one individual who was lucky enough to get help - but what of the countless others who are overlooked and become victims of circumstances?

The failure of parents to register the birth of these children stems from various factors, such as a lack of knowledge about registration procedures, indifference towards its importance, and fear of potential fines and arrest by the authorities.

Zamzuri's major concern is that if the children drop out due to not having identity documents they will fall into more dire circumstances as the neighbourhood is a hotbed for crime and social issues.

"They may be manipulated by anyone. For example, gangsters can get students involved in robbing, killing, and even becoming drug dealers.

"...Or they could be oppressed by employers and not paid fair wages due to the lack of identification documents. But how would they file a complaint? Such a manipulated situation will certainly put pressure on them and make them more likely to go down a darker path," he said.

Parents interviewed by Bernama also expressed their worry about the environment and stressed their desire to see the children escape that life and enroll in any boarding school, even though they recognise the challenges of achieving such a dream.

"The cooperation of all parties is crucial to assist them in obtaining identification documents because that is the barrier preventing them from reaching up for greater opportunities. Without proper documentation, how are they to secure a livelihood?

"They can't even open an account. Without help, they may return to their initial circumstances (in dark alleys and with no hope of ending inherited poverty," said Zamzuri.

-- BERNAMA