Ragu: Nothing more I can do

We first met Ragu and his family a year ago in Ipoh.

His plight? He doesn't have the all-important identity card of a citizen.

Born here 38 years ago, he was rescued from his biological parents at a young age by the welfare services department. And he grew up in an orphanage.

But listen to him speak ...

His Bahasa Malaysia, or Bahasa Melayu for the language chauvinist, is immaculate. Certainly much better than a lot of Malaysians out of the vernacular school system.

If citizenship were to be based on language a lone, Ragu would have a blue MyKad -- not the green one he now carries, which has an expiration date. Think of it.

Even if he were not born in the country, he has lived here for 38 years, wouldn't he be eligible for citizenship anyway?

He has tried everything to get his citizenship. The involvement of his Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak, got him the residency status with an expiration date.

Recently he came to Parliament, but they wouldn't let him in. He spent the next 2 days trying to see someone in the Prime Minister's office and failed. He went to the national registration department and they took out a thick file that was his but has no resolution and all the officer could do was to shake his head.

Previously Ragu and his eldest daughter, Nithiya Rubini, now 14 have walked the length and breadth of Peninsular Malaysia to publicize his plight. NGOs come and go. Do gooders come and go. Politicians come and go, but Ragu still remains ... stateless.

Perhaps if he were to embrace Islam? Have a 'bin Abdullah' rather than 'Anak Lelaki' Rajamani? This is not far-fetched he says as it has been suggested to him.

Of great concern now is that his wife is unwell.

He has reached a dead end.

If you want to contribute to the family or if you are in Ipoh and can offer him work, please call Ragu at 014 6003118