Parents Will Now Have To Pay A Penalty Of RM1,000 For Late Birth Registration

In a report by Bernama today, 11 October, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed revealed that the implementation of the revised penalty fee will be imposed with immediate effect.

"This is to ensure and encourage parents to register their children as soon as possible. If they register the birth late (60 days after the birth of a child), then they will have to pay the RM1,000 fine," he said.

"The government has made a decision (to increase the penalties) after the amendments on the Births and Deaths Registration and Adoption Act (Act 299), approved and passed by the Dewan Rakyat last year, which also stipulates that all births must be registered within 60 days, including that of illegitimate babies," explained Nur Jazlan, when speaking to reporters after the opening of the new Simpang Renggam national registration department (NRD) in Kluang yesterday, 10 October.

This decision was reportedly made to ensure than single mothers can complete their confinement period before registering their newborn.

Previously, NRD considered all registrations made 42 days after the birth of a child as late and the parents would be subjected to a penalty of no more than RM50.

Nur Jazlan also took the opportunity to remind parents living in Peninsular Malaysia that they don't have an excuse for late registration of birth thanks to the good facilities here.

"However, it is different for parents in Sabah and Sarawak who may face problems in terms of distance and location of NRD offices that are far from residential areas (especially in rural areas)," he added.