Senior citizen receives new identity card after 50-year wait

PARIT BUNTAR: After 50 years of waiting, a senior citizen here who lost his identity card when he was a teenager, finally received the document.

Mat Sani Awang 75, said he lost his identity card after the passing of his parents in 1962.

"I grew up with a foster family and I did not know how to apply for a replacement until my story went viral on social media.

"I am very grateful that the National Registration Department (NRD) has helped me get my new identity card," he said when visited by NRD deputy director-general (Operations) Saiful Yazan Alwi at his house in Kampung Parit Haji Tahir, here yesterday.

The story of Mat Sani who did not have a MyKad for more than 50 years went viral on social media on July 3 after it was shared by celebrity preacher Ustaz Ebit Lew.

Meanwhile, Saiful Yazan urged the public to take advantage of the Menyemai Kasih Rakyat (MEKAR) Programme which was introduced five years ago to assist those living in rural areas with their identity card and birth certificate registrations.

-- BERNAMA