KOTA BELUD: The Home Ministry is open to improving the inefficient handling of identity card applications at the National Registration Department (NRD), as highlighted by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) yesterday.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, said he respected the EAIC’s findings and stressed that the Home Ministry and its agencies prioritise public convenience.
"I should also mention that there have been cases where applications from citizens were either unsuccessful or rejected outright due to forged documents,” he added.
"For example, there have been cases involving maternity clinics where the birth did not actually take place, but the facilities were used to issue birth certificates,” he told reporters after officiating the ministry’s Kampung Angkat Madani (Madani adopted village initiative) launching ceremony at SK Kampung Pangkalan Abai here Friday (July 4).
Saifuddin Nasution said the NRD has a clear, efficient, and uncompromising policy when it comes to verifying the authenticity of documents. However, he said he is open to improving the process if there are areas that can be enhanced.
"When citizens in need of services are affected by delays, it is the responsibility of the NRD to improve,” he said.
Yesterday, the media reported that the EAIC revealed that there was an unreasonable delay by an investigating officer of the Sabah NRD in handling a child’s new identity card application. - Bernama
