PD boy relieved to be finally recognised a Malaysian

The Star

2 days ago

PHIREN Singh can now focus on pursuing his tertiary education and his dream of becoming an engineer as he has finally earned the right to be called a Malaysian.
The 17-year-old from Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, who excelled in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination, received his MyKad after many years of applying.
Phiren was raised by his grandmother after his foreign mother returned to her home country when he was a child and his father's death in 2018.
He is relieved that his ordeal of being stateless is finally over.
'I am happy beyond words that I have finally received my MyKad, but I wish my dad was here to see this.
'I know the hardship my dad and I endured when I was a stateless person. I can now better plan my future,' he said after collecting his identity card from the National Registration Department (NRD) in Putrajaya.
Phiren (right) with Rajasekaran after collecting his MyKad from the NRD in Putrajaya.
Phiren, who was not eligible for basic things like free school textbooks and other aid given to Malaysians, said he planned to apply for scholarships or even a loan from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation to pursue his tertiary education.
'My 91-year-old grandmother, who is a retired teacher, has been providing for me ever since and I cannot burden her anymore.
'I want a career in engineering or in the automobile field, and will now be able to do so at local institutions of higher learning,' said Phiren, who has an older stepbrother and a younger sister, both of whom are Malaysians.
Phiren said he had encountered countless problems growing up as a stateless person, from access to government healthcare facilities and participating in sports activities at the national level, to opening a bank account.
'I played tennis but was unable to represent Negri Sembilan at the national schools championships or MSSM due to my status. That was really painful,' he said.
He thanked Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for looking into cases like his which had dragged on for years.
'My appreciation also goes to Sri Tanjung assemblyman Dr G. Rajasekaran who has been instrumental in helping me in the application process,' Phiren added.