The Road To Independence...

My youngest boy had a lil' dose of independence last Tuesday when I brought him to the National Registration Department (JPN) at Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam for his MyKad (identification card). It is a requirement for all kids (once they reach the age of 12) to get a MyKad. Although we have our birth certificates but it is hard to get accepted (employment, opening a bank account, marriage, etc.) if one doesn't have an identification card in Malaysia.

My boy turned 12 last Sunday ~ January 23rd. So, he was all excited about it. His elder brother already had his MyKad done a few years ago and since then he has been wanting to have one too. Call it sibling rivalry... what his brother has, he must have too! Hmmm...


We reached the place at about 2.30pm and surprisingly it was kinda deserted. There were only a few applicants which surprised me because this place or any other government department is known to be packed with people. I thanked my lucky stars and proceeded to the reception counter. After filling all the necessary forms and getting the queue number, we sat and waited.

My son became agitated and couldn't wait for his turn... he couldn't even sit still. He said his stomach feels sick! LOL! Poor boy has butterflies in his stomach... hehe. I was more amused with the whole thing... it was kinda funny seeing his chubby face looking so worried and wrinkled.

Alas our number was called and we proceeded to the counter and told him to sit. I decided to stand beside him and just watch. As the clerk was busy keying all the details into the PC, I told my son to remain seated and call me if he needed anything and I went back to the seats at the back where my other son was waiting.

Next thing I knew, he was waving frantically at me. LOL! It seemed that the clerk had difficulty getting his thumbprint on the scanner as my son's fingers were all sweaty. I whipped out my tissues from my handbag and wiped his stubby sweaty palms. My poor boy was so nervous, even his forehead was trickling in sweat!

Finally when all the processing was done, he was told to get his picture taken in the next room. You see my son had practiced in front of the mirror (at home) for this particular purpose. But when it was time to get his picture taken, he was out of sorts... his hair was a mess, he looked like he was gonna puke and cry. I really had a hard time controlling myself from laughing out loud.

I felt so sorry for him but I told him to be brave because it is the first step to be a man. He has to learn to understand instructions from the workers and do as he was told. I got out of the photograph room because I didn't want to distract him further. Several minutes later, he was done and I saw this big huge smile on his face. :D

When we left the place, he was back to his chirpy self again and couldn't stop asking when he will get his MyKad. I was told by the counter clerk earlier that it will be ready for collection after 10 working days. Everything took about 20 minutes to complete and I am very pleased with the staffs manning the counters at JPN. They're friendly and helpful... kudos to JPN. It is really the exact opposite of my previous experiences with other government department.

And as a treat for my boy, we took him to a restaurant for all the 'grief' he had to go through that day. By turning 12 (getting a MyKad), he has reached yet another milestone in his life. Kids grow up at an alarming rate and before you know it, they will be in their twenties and will no longer want their mummies to tag along.

"Children are like kites. You spend years trying to get them off the ground... Finally, they are airborne. They need more string and you keep letting it out. The Kite becomes more distant, and you know it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you together and will soar as it's meant to soar... free and alone. Only then do you know that you have done your job."