Dr Wee recognised for role in helping Malaysian children with passport issues

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has been recognised at the Malaysian American Association (MAA) Hari Raya appreciation and thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday night (April 23) for assisting thousands of Malaysians in the United States.

“I am humbled to receive the plaque of appreciation from the MAA alongside Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

“The plaque serves as a reminder of why we serve, which is to make a real difference in people’s lives, no matter where they are in this world,” said Dr Wee on Facebook.

“It all began two years ago when I was entrusted with the responsibility of assisting Malaysians living in the US, with children who grew up there alongside their parents and were unable to apply for passports as they only held MyKid.

Dr Wee said that as a result, their lives were severely affected when they reached adulthood, faced with travelling restrictions, education and employment.

“In contrast, their elder siblings who entered the US with MyKad were allowed to renew their passports at the Malaysian embassy.

He said he raised the matter in Parliament and was met with understanding from the Home Ministry and the Prime Minister, who approved a RM2mil allocation to the National Registration Department officers in US.

Dr Wee said this allowed over 2,000 Malaysians to finally renew their MyKad and resolve the passport issue once and for all.

“This outcome would not have been possible without the dedicated cooperation of Mohamed Nazri and MAA chairman Kim Bong.

“The MAA is a remarkable non-profit organisation that continues to serve our diaspora in the US, and I am proud to have stood by them in this cause,” added the MCA president.