I’m not well-versed in citizenship laws, but I think this should be a clear-cut case. The parent (who would have been Malayans) took him to be registered at the Malayan High Commission, but after many years later, the birth certificate is not found at the commission. Why did it take until 1975 to collect birth certificate? Any proof of communication between his parent and the high commission people between 1963 and 1975?
Funny thing is that his siblings and childrens (and parents) are Malaysians, only he isn’t!
Still no citizenship for 45-year-old
MALACCA: Born in Singapore in 1963 while his parents were working there, V. Rajasegar is still trying to get his Malaysian citizenship even though he has been living in the country since 1970.
The 45-year-old marketing assistant was born at the Kandang Kerbau Hospital on June 28, 1963 while his parents, C. Vallasamy and M. Rasammal, were working in the island. Seven years later, his parents moved to Malacca where he continued his studies and lived.
His two older brothers, one of whom is working in the police force, and younger brother are Malaysian citizens.
Rajasegar said a few months after his birth, his father, who is a Malaysian citizen, registered his birth at the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore but when he went to get his son’s birth records in 1975, the High Commission told him they were not available.
He said that the first application for citizenship was made for him and his younger brother, V. Manimaran born on April 26, 1967, in 1975. “My brother got the citizenship after two years but mine was rejected after 12 years,” he said.
Rajasegar’s appeal to the then Home Minister was rejected. He said the National Registration Department then asked him to submit another application for the citizenship but it was again rejected.
Rajasegar, who is married with three school-going children, had also passed the Bahasa Malaysia test twice. His two sons are in Form One and Year Six while a daughter is in Year One.
He said Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam had also given a letter of endorsement when he submitted another application for citizenship in 2000 but he again received a negative reply.
“I have never left the country and have been loyal to this country. I want to carry out my rights as a voter,” he said here yesterday.
Rajasegar sought the help of Bukit Katil MIC division deputy chairman M. Tirunavokarasan to help him to get the citizenship. Tirunavokarasan said he would submit an appeal to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to reconsider Rajasegar’s case. “He (Rajasegar) has always helped in community service,” he said.