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Report: Hospitals, clinics in cahoots with syndicates to sell babies with fake birth cert; 74 cases so far

Malay Mail
Malay Mail

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 — The National Registration Department (NRD) has detected 74 cases of babies with falsified birth certificates being sold through syndicates in the past 10 months of this year so far, Utusan Malaysia reported today.

NRD director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh told the Malay daily these baby selling rings would work with certain private hospitals and clinics to obtain documents that would show the child as the biological offspring of the adopted parents instead.

“Investigations show that these cases involve babies being bought from syndicates at prices of thousands of ringgit.

“Many of the cases are revealed when the children reach the age of 12 and in making their identification cards, find confusing information in their birth certificate and recognise that they have different facial features from their parents,” he was quoted as saying.

He said the 74 cases were detected in the Klang Valley, Johor, Melaka, Perak and Kedah.

He also said that legal action would be taken against all those involved, including the adopted parents, as such actions were in violation of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957 (Act 299).

Under the Act, anyone found guilty of willingly or knowingly furnishes false particulars or makes false entries into the birth register can be punished with jail up to 12 months, a fine of RM2,000, or both.

“We check each birth registration with the hospital because it has records under form LM01 which must be validated by a medical professional,” Ruslin was quoted saying.

He added that though the NRD has found 74 cases this year alone, it is probable that the number of babies sold is much higher.

He said the clinics found to be involved have been identified through cooperation with the Health Ministry and action has been taken.

He reminded those keen to adopt to use the right channels to register the births and adoption of the children to prevent future problems.