Hanoi:Old birth certificates, including handwritten ones in paper format, are still valid and do not require replacement. This was confirmed by National Registration Department (NRD) director-general Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, For those interested in obtaining a birth certificate in the new format, an extract can be requested at any NRD office for a fee of RM5, with the process taking less than five minutes. Badrul Hisham emphasized that birth certificates, regardless of their generation, retain their validity.

He highlighted the importance of birth documentation in establishing a legally recognized identity, which is crucial for accessing rights and services in Malaysia. The NRD is actively reaching out to communities, including rural Orang Asli populations, to ensure they have access to registration and documentation services.

While exact numbers of Orang Asli lacking a MyKad or birth certificate are unavailable, as the department only identifies those who actively seek services, efforts are ongoing to increase awareness of personal documentation's importance. This includes outreach programs and collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure comprehensive inclusion in the national registration system.