BUKIT MERTAJAM: A 20-year-old lass is finally a Malaysian after applying for her citizenship for eight years!

Liu Mei Fang from Bukit Mertajam, whose father did not register his marriage with her Thai mother, was without an identity card for the past 20 years.

Liu, who is studying information technology at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, proceeded to open a bank account and signed up for driving test after receiving her identity card.

The ordeal of not possessing a blue identity card was finally over for her.

She used to feel insecure about her future. Despite achieving good results at school, she was unable to choose a college of her choice. It also took her three months to get into one.

“I am very excited. This is the beginning of a new life for me. I have missed a lot in the past,” she said.

Liu is currently living with her adopted parents.

She started applying for citizenship in 2014 with DNA reports to prove her relationship with her father.

She was notified by the National Registration Department (NRD) that her application was rejected in 2016.

She then submitted the application again the same year.

“I visited the NRD in 2018 and was informed my application was rejected again. I sought help from Heng Lee Lee, the Berapit state assemblyman in 2019,” said Liu.

Accompanied by an officer from a special citizenship assistance committee set up by the Penang state government, Liu visited the NRD again and was informed that her application was pending.

Heng said her service center had received more than 20 citizenship-related cases seeking help since 2018.

Without follow-up, she discovered that many applications were not successful and the NRD would not inform the applicants the reasons for the rejection.

Heng said she hoped applicants would follow up with the NRD or seek assistance from the special citizenship committee set up by the Penang state government located at Komtar.