Liew: MyKad needs race and religion info

Source: thestar.com.my/news (Tuesday December 15, 2009)

INFORMATION on the people’s race and religion contained in the MyKad chip is still needed for data and statistical collection purpose, the Dewan was told. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said this was among several factors that still needed to be considered before a proposal to remove the race column from official forms could be implemented.

“While a person’s race can be ascertained from his or her name, it is still difficult to determine this for those in Sabah and Sarawak,” he told Lim Lip Eng (DAP - Segambut).

Besides, he said, forms relating to society restructuring still required information on race although forms regarding poverty eradication, registration for examinations or sports participation did not. Lim asked if the Government was serious in deleting the column on race, religion and bumiputra status in all government forms and when and how it would be implemented.

Liew said even developed countries like Australia, Britain and the United States needed information on race in certain forms to ensure there would be equal opportunities for all.

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