As his father's name on the citizenship certificate is inconsistent with the name written on his birth certificate, Lim Teong Heng, who was born in 1952, and his six siblings are unable to get the Malaysian citizenship.

Lim had difficulties in finding jobs and enjoyed no civil rights. He had no choice but to set up a fruit stall at the roadside to feed his family of six.

He could not afford schooling when he was young and started to follow his father, who was a fisherman, to go fishing when he was eight. He was unable to get a blue IC when he was told that his father's name on the citizenship certificate and his birth certificate is inconsistent.

He was disappointed and frustrated when his first citizenship application was denied.

“I can still remember the interview very clearly. There were three officials asking questions and they were using advanced Bahasa Malaysia. I never attended school, how could I understand their questions?” Lim said.

The officials asked him to go back and learn Bahasa Malaysia before making another try. As he could hardly master the language, he dared not to make another application.

Some “agents” came to Lim after they knew that he was eager to get a blue IC. They told Lim that they have “ways” to get it, but they need some money to do so. Lim therefore tried hard to save money and paid them a few hundreds ringgit each time. But he has not yet received any reply so far.

He tried to seek assistance from politicians, too. But they advised him to give up after knowing that he did not understand Bahasa Malaysia.

A few years ago, Lim heard that the government intended to be more lenient towards citizenship application. He therefore paid someone to fill in the form for him. The person said he could help Lim to get a blue IC but it would cost RM1800.

At that time, Lim received a letter asking him to go for an interview in Ipoh. He sought assistance from that person but the person asked for another RM500 and did not guarantee a successful interview. Lim was very frustrated and disappointed. He did not attend the interview and kept the completed application form until today.

Meanwhile, Lee Ouyong had tried three times to apply for a blue IC over the past 30 years but failed as he could not past the Bahasa Malaysia test.

“I have never attended school before, how can I read Bahasa Malaysia? During the first interview, the official asked me to come back three months later. And when I returned three months later, he asked me to try again another three months later. I tried to apply in Seremban but failed again,” said Lee.

Lee, who is currently working for an insurance company, was born in Negeri Sembilan in 1952. His father died before he was born and her mother left after giving birth to him. He was raised by his brother and sister-in-law.

“I was born in Malaysia. My parents' names were written on my birth certificate. Just the column for their IC numbers were blank. But I was unable to get the Malaysian citizenship,” he said.

He added that: “The Home Minister said during Hari Raya that red IC holders may receive a good news shortly. Hopefully he will announce that those above 50 years old and were born before independence may also automatically become Malaysian citizens.”

“There are a lot of restrictions. Red IC holders are not allowed to apply for bank loans and enjoy some people-friendly policies like road tax rebate,” Lee said.

Red IC holders may become EPF members

Many people may not know that red IC holders may as well become Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members.

Enthusiastic Sin Chew Daily reader Li Ouyong said that he tried to made enquiry at an EPF counter last year and the official told him that red IC holders are qualified to become EPF members.

He said that he had wasted a lot of time as he did not know that he could actually become an EPF member. He hoped that other red IC holders would not waste the opportunity like him. (Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)