KINABATANGAN, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- When Lahi Mustamin wanted to further his studies after his form five education, there was a stumbling block.

Later, when the young man wanted to seek employment, the same stumbling block reared its ugly head.

That 'stumbling block' confronting the 25-year-old, is the lack of an identity card (IC).

For the past 12 years, Lahi, of Kampung Lot M here, said he exhausted all avenues but till today, he has not been issued an IC by the National Registration Department in Sandakan.

What's strange is that his parents have ICs while all he has is a delayed registration of a birth certificate.

Lahi said he had attended two interviews at the NRD to apply for an IC but to date, has not received any response.

"I don't know what went wrong, but I hope the department will solve this problem which I have been facing for 12 years.

"I could neither further my studies nor work as the IC was the factor which decided my future," he told Bernama when met at an NRD booth at the Kinabatangan Member of Parliament community service Centre here today.

Currently, Lahi helps his father, Mustamin, 59, in the family's oil palm plantations.

Meanwhile, Mustamin said that besides Lahi, his other son, aged 31, also faced a similar problem.

He said he had gone several times to the NRD office to apply for IC for his sons but did not get a reply.

He urged the department to solve the issue soon so that his sons could have a bright future.