KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): Human rights counsel Eric Paulsen says the government has responded “positively” in a case involving three stateless
women.
Letchumy Suppiah, 70 and her daughters Mala Kothandu, 45, and Sarojini Kothandu, 33, are seeking a court order to compel the National Registration
Department (NRD) to issue them with blue identity cards or MyKad.
Paulsen told fz.com that federal counsel M Kogilaambigai – who is representing the NRD director-general as well as the Home Ministry and the
government in the judicial review – asked for more time to gather information and the settlement agreement.
The applicants had filed a judicial review application on Dec 10, 2012. High Court Appellate and Special Powers judge Datuk Zaleha Yusoff granted the
application on Jan 20.
Both parties were asked to reach a settlement by today but the case was postponed to Sept 18 to facilitate the respondents’ requests.
“We are trying to resolve the matter before the next date,” Paulsen said.
Letchumy, Mala and Sarojini are seeking a certiorari order to nullify NRD’s decision, on Sept 29, that they were were not qualified to apply for citizenship in accordance to the Federal Constitution, and the applicants had no claim as citizens by law.
The three women are also seeking a mandamus order instructing the NRD to issue MyKads to declare Sarojini and Mala as Malaysian citizens, as their
deceased father was a Malaysian.
Letchumy, 70, who lives in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor only received her permanent resident (PR) status recently.
Letchumy and her daughters are seeking damages for being denied their rights as stipulated under the Federal Constitution and other laws.
They are also asking for costs and other reliefs deemed fit by the court.
Pathma Subramaniam, The Edge

Category: News