KUALA LUMPUR – The National Registration Department has recorded 60,698 births involving individuals categorised under Myanmar-related groups, including holders of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards.
Its director-general Badrul Hisham said the figures, covering the period from 2000 to June 19 this year, are based on three classification categories maintained by the department, which include Myanmar-related groups and UNHCR cardholders, Bernama reported.
“So these are the three categories recorded. As for the UNHCR cardholder category, not all of them are Rohingya; there are also other groups. However, the majority are ethnic Rohingya,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the NRD Santuni Madani programme in Kampung Padang Tanjung, Marang.
Badrul Hisham stressed that being born in Malaysia does not automatically grant citizenship, adding that nationality status is determined by the parents’ legal standing and circumstances in line with existing laws.
He also acknowledged that some births involving foreign nationals in Malaysia remain unregistered due to various factors, including fears of enforcement action over issues such as overstaying, lack of valid travel documents or absence of proper permits.
“It is not only foreigners. Some Malaysians are also reluctant to register their children’s births, which is why we have cases of late birth registration arising from various factors such as unregistered marriages, family problems and others,” he said.
To address the issue, he said the NRD continues to carry out outreach efforts through the Menyemai Kasih Rakyat (MEKAR) programme to ensure eligible individuals obtain proper birth and identity documentation.
Earlier, he said the Santuni MADANI programme was aimed, among other objectives, at strengthening engagement between the department and more than 800 residents in the village.
The programme featured various community activities, including a MADANI Rahmah Sale, a sepak takraw tournament, children’s colouring competitions, and services related to birth registration and identity cards.
“The programme also received cooperation from various parties, including other government agencies. This reflects the commitment of government agencies in ensuring that the Madani Government’s agenda is successfully implemented,” he said. – June 20, 2026