MOBILE IC, BIRTH CERT SERVICES A BIG DRAW

Mobile IC, birth cert services a big draw

February 26, 2011 KENINGAU: About 1,000 people turned out yesterday to apply for identity card and birth certificate, and to register as voters when the relevant government agencies conducted mobile services in Kampong Merampong Apin-Apin here.

The crowd at the mobile service centre.

The mobile services, which involved the National Registration Department, Election Commission, Immigration Department, Native Court and State Islamic Affairs Department (Jheains), were monitored by District Chief, Native Chief, Native Chief representatives and headmen from Bingkor, Apin-Apin, Liawan, Sook and Nabawan.

The community leaders’ task was to ensure the people who registered for the documents and voting right are genuine locals living in the areas they represent.

Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Justin Guka, who witnessed the provision of the mobile services, expressed surprise at the response, saying it shows that many people in the district still do not have identity documents and have not registered as voters.

Justin, who is also Upko Keningau chief, said the organizing committee of the programme had made it compulsory for all community leaders to verify the application forms submitted to the government agencies.

He said this was to ensure no outsiders took the opportunity to apply for the documents and register as voters.

“I would like to thank all the departments and their staff involved in handling the services,” he said, adding that similar services will be provided at other areas.

Among those present to witness and assist in the programme were District Chief Majabin Dalinus, Apin-Apin Native Chief Alexander Kandau, Keningau parliamentary liaison officer Harry Otigil, Bingkor community development officer Stanley Bungkilau and Bingkor People Development Leader Unit staff.