Proof Not Required for MyKad Data Change
NECF Malaysia is looking into the issue of the National Registration Department's (NRD) requirement for non-Muslims to produce proof of conversion before they can change the religion in their MyKad. The matter was brought to NECF's attention by a Christian who recently applied to change the status of relgion in his MyKad but was told by NRD to produce his baptism certificate as evidence that he had converted to Christianity.
According to the "Pindaan Butiran Kad Pengenalan" (Change of Identity Card Information) form, the applicant is required to provide supporting documents, such as baptism certificates and letters from the temple, to prove conversion (see http://www.jpn.gov.my/BM/BKP/ic4.html).
This requirement is contrary to a 2004 Cabinet decision that non-Muslims need not prove to the NRD that they have changed their faith.
In Nov. 2005, NECF brought up the issue with the then Deputy Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Tan Chai Ho, who then quoted the 2004 Cabinet's decision (NST, Nov. 5, 2005).
He said that the Cabinet's position may not have "filtered down properly" to the department.
Datuk Tan was then commenting on a statement by NRD director-general, Datuk Mohd Abdul Halim Muhammad who had said non-Muslims needed to show proof that they had converted or changed faiths "to prevent abuse".
During the press interview, Datuk Tan had clarified that non-Muslims only needed to fill in an "A" form, and that the Cabinet had agreed that "there was no need for a letter or certificate as proof. It should be enough for the applicant to just state so."
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