JPN Bears Huge Responsibility Preserving Malaysians' Identities Across Generations - Saifuddin

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The National Registration Department (JPN) does not merely manage identification documents but bears the huge responsibility of preserving the life records and identities of Malaysians across generations, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The scale of this responsibility, he said, is evident from the more than 2.03 million births and 968,355 deaths registered by JPN from 2022 to Sept 15 this year.

It also recorded 23,170 adoption registrations and currently manages over 25 million MyKad holders.

"When a child is born, their birth is registered. As they grow older, their identity is recorded, and the MyKad becomes an essential document in various aspects of life.

"When starting a family, marriages are registered. The same goes for adoptions, citizenship and, finally, death records. Throughout that journey, JPN is there," he said in a Facebook post in conjunction with JPN's 78th anniversary today.

Saifuddin Nasution said the country's population registration history began in 1869 with the earliest birth records created in Penang. Today, JPN preserves nearly 500 million physical population records as national treasures.

He said the true measure of JPN's public service is not just the volume of counter transactions, but how effectively the government ensures that those in need are not left behind.

"Not everyone's life journey is the same. Some live deep in the interior. There are the elderly, persons with disabilities and those who face constraints in turning up in person to get services.

"There are also families facing various problems, resulting in late birth registrations for their children," he said.

To address this, Saifuddin Nasution said JPN handled 55,788 late birth registration applications nationwide between 2022 and Sept 15.

The department also resolved registration issues involving 12,101 students through the Menyemai Kasih Rakyat (MEKAR) Didik Programme since November 2024.

In addition to its 211 offices nationwide, he said JPN's outreach initiatives are crucial to ensuring registration services reach those unable to visit the offices in person.

"To some of us, a birth certificate or identity card may look like just a piece of paper. But to a child, that document carries much greater meaning. It is linked to their identity and paves the way for various important matters in their life," he said.

Saifuddin Nasution said JPN must continue to be an efficient, high-integrity institution that is close to the people, leveraging technology without losing its human touch, expanding access while maintaining meticulousness, and ensuring all its affairs are conducted in accordance with the law.

-- BERNAMA