NRD quashes claims of Rohingya getting MyKad, says non-citizens also have legal matters at its premises

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — The National Registration Department (NRD) has sought to dispel misleading claims on social media following a viral video purporting to show Rohingya individuals at its offices. The department clarified that merely being present at its facilities does not indicate an applicant is seeking or receiving a MyKad.

NRD explained that it offers numerous registration and documentation services that often involve non-citizens, depending on the nature of the transaction. This is not the first time the department has had to correct public records; in June, they addressed confusion caused by a viral clip linking a "pink" birth certificate to Malaysian citizenship, which it clarified was merely a proof of registration, not citizenship.

To prevent further misunderstanding, the NRD reminded that a pink birth certificate does not prove citizenship, as every birth in Malaysia must be officially recorded, regardless of the parents' citizenship status. The department emphasized that its services, including civil marriages involving foreign nationals, are for record-keeping purposes and do not lead to MyKad issuance.

NRD urged the public to discern truth from perception, urging them to base their understanding on facts, context, and accurate explanations rather than isolated videos.