Protecting the national identity: Saifuddin Nasution, flanked by Badrul Hisham (right) and Awang Alik, showing the fake MyKad and birth certificates during the press conference in Putrajaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/ The Star
PUTRAJAYA: A syndicate has been found using forged documents to register undocumented children, some of whom may have been smuggled from overseas.
Over the past three years, the syndicate allegedly registered 80 fraudulent birth certificates through the National Registration Department (NRD), falsely declaring undocumented children as Malaysians using fake documents.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the syndicate is suspected of having extensive networks, both in Malaysia and abroad, suggesting a larger operation involving child smuggling for illegal adoption.
The syndicate’s operations were exposed through NRD’s internal investigations, prompted by officers who suspected something amiss in late birth registrations.
“Investigations revealed that the syndicate engaged in falsifying birth documents by replicating verification records from registered private healthcare facilities,” he told the press at NRD headquarters here yesterday.
“These fraudulent documents were then used to deceive NRD for birth registration purposes.”
Also present were Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman and NRD director-general Badrul Hisham Alias.
Saifuddin Nasution explained that individuals acting as birth informants submitted these fraudulent documents at NRD counters to obtain official birth certificates.
“Once an official birth certificate is obtained, it’s believed to be sold on the black market to parents or guardians of children without identification or Malaysian citizenship,” he said.
Births registered after 60 days are considered late registrations. Between 2022 and May 2024, it was reported that NRD had 27,280 late birth registrations.
The NRD, in collaboration with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) intelligence division and the Selangor MACC, launched a special operation named Ops Tumpang on March 11.
The operation, conducted across multiple locations in Putrajaya, Selangor, Penang and Perak, resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects.
“Among them, four individuals – including a 55-year-old legal practitioner suspected of acting as an intermediary between agents and applicants – are believed to be the masterminds behind the syndicate.
“The remaining six are identified as birth informants. Authorities also seized RM54,000 in cash from the suspects, which is believed to be proceeds from these illegal activities.”
He added that the NRD has not ruled out further arrests as investigations continue.
“This operation is the result of nearly a year of joint intelligence gathering between the NRD and MACC, with meticulous planning to ensure comprehensive enforcement action,” he said.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 36(1)(b) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957 (Act 299) for allegedly providing false information during birth registration.
If convicted, offenders may face a fine of up to RM20,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
Additionally, the case is expected to be investigated under other laws within MACC’s jurisdiction.
Saifuddin Nasution assured that the 80 affected cases would undergo a thorough review to ensure that the children involved do not suffer due to the fraudulent actions of others.
On Wednesday, the MACC arrested 16 individuals – including a civil servant, a medical practitioner with the title Datuk Seri, a legal practitioner, agents and birth registration applicants – in Ops Outlander and Ops Birth.
These individuals are suspected of bribery and the submission of false birth confirmation documents between 2013 and 2018 and from 2023 to 2025.
A total of 12 suspects have been remanded until Sunday, while four others, including the medical practitioner, were released on MACC bail for health reasons after giving their statements.
Saifuddin Nasution reaffirmed the government’s firm stance against any attempts to forge national identity documents, stating that strict legal action will be taken to preserve the integrity of Malaysia’s identity records.
