Big step: Boon Hui holding up his new MyKad alongside his parents Hoe Kuei and Geok Choo, with Gan (left) at the Kluang National Registration Department office.
KLUANG: Turning 18 is a big deal for any teenager, but for Choo Boon Hui, this birthday comes with the one gift he has been waiting for years – a MyKad.
After years of living in limbo as a stateless child, the teen from Paloh here finally received his blue identity card, putting an end to his struggle for citizenship.
“I was given away at birth to my adoptive parents. Due to the lack of formal adoption procedures, I did not have a birth certificate.
“When I turned 12, I was unable to register for a MyKad, which brought on a series of challenges, including having to pay for expensive medical bills as I was not entitled to public healthcare benefits,” he said when interviewed.
Boon Hui’s family took about three years to finally secure formal adoption documents and a birth certificate.
His citizenship application then took another two-and-a-half years before approval came on Sept 22 this year.
“When I held the MyKad in my hands at the National Registration Department office with my parents, it felt like a weight was finally lifted.
“With the stability that comes with a MyKad, I hope to shoulder some of the burden faced by my parents, Choo Hoe Kuei, 68, and Lim Geok Choo, 67, in the future,” he said.
The teenager, who has completed his secondary school education, added that he plans to pursue studies in artificial intelligence at a vocational college soon, but financial worries were always at the back of his mind.
“I was so worried that I could not continue my studies, as my parents do odd jobs and money is tight, so we definitely cannot afford college fees.
“With a MyKad, I can now apply for education loans and enjoy medical benefits as an official Malaysian citizen. This is the best birthday gift for my family and me,” said Boon Hui, whose birthday is on Dec 23.
Having subsidised healthcare was also a huge relief for him, as he started having gastrointestinal issues a few years ago.
He was hospitalised twice this year, leaving his family with hefty medical bills. His first admission cost over RM1,000, while the second admission – a 10-day stay – came to more than RM3,000.
He also thanked Kluang Municipal Council Sri Lalang zone councillor Gan Lee Chiu for her assistance with the medical bills and the online submission of his citizenship application.
Gan said the family sought her help earlier this year due to difficulties in paying for Boon Hui’s first hospitalisation charges.
She said Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han, who is also the Paloh assemblyman, helped to cover those costs.
Gan, who is also the Kluang MCA division chief, added that she would now help them apply for exemption from the outstanding medical charges.
“With Boon Hui’s MyKad now in hand, we will submit the necessary documents to state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon to assist with the second medical bill, in hopes of lifting the family’s financial burden,” she said.
