GEORGE TOWN – A 64-year-old man who was mistakenly declared dead by the National Registration Department (NRD) in 2018 has yet to have his case rectified by the department, despite the fact that he informed them of their error around four years ago.
Ramasamy Muthaloo, who hails from Hutan Melintang in Perak was declared dead instead of his brother Maniam Muthaloo who died at a worksite hostel in Rawang on December 3, 2018.
Over the past four years, he has been turned away by hospital staff and his RM300 financial assistance from the Welfare Department had also stopped since the NRD issued his death certificate.
He is now appealing to the Home Affairs Ministry and the NRD for a new identity card (MyKad).
NGO Malaysian Tamilar Kural president David Marshell told The Vibes that he had urged the department to look into the matter and immediately issue a new MyKad for Ramasamy,
“I pity the status of Ramasamy who has been denied medical treatment for the last four years and his welfare aid has also stopped since then.
“I urge the NRD and Bagan Datuk MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to help the man to obtain a new identity card,” he said, seeing that Ramasamy is one of the Umno president’s constituents.
Marshell, who also holds a position as Seberang Prai city councillor, had earlier visited Ramasamy and his family all the way in Perak, to find out more regarding their troubles.
He had also posted their problem on the NGO’s Facebook page earlier today as well as issuing a statement explaining the senior citizen’s plight.
He said the confusion arose when the factory management surrendered an identity card that belonged to Ramasamy instead of his deceased brother Maniam.
“The factory made a mistake. They had submitted a photocopy of Ramasamy’s MyKad that was kept in Maniam’s wallet when he passed away. And police from Gombak Police Station had issued a burial permit under Ramasamy’s name.
“Later, NRD issued a death certificate and recorded their data under Ramasamy’s name. It went undetected by the family who are illiterate.
“The late Maniam had also received a new death certificate after a police report was lodged but Ramasamy’s death certificate has not been cancelled yet,” said Marshell in his earlier statement.
Currently, Ramasamy is working at a scrap metal yard and is living with his handicapped wife in their hometown Hutan Melitang.
Marshell added that Ramasamy has voiced his hope that the authorities and his MP will be able to help him to overcome this problem as it has negatively impacted his life since his brother died. – The Vibes, September 24, 2021
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