Citizenship woes resolved, STPM top scorer now gets to pursue studies

white and blue pencils

BY: Patrick Beech

Despite getting a 4.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in his Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Mohd Omar Mokhtar Abdul Rahman was earlier unable to pursue his studies as he was stateless.

However, his prayers were answered when he was among the 4,067 new students enrolling in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) recently after the Home Ministry approved his citizenship application.

His citizenship issues stemmed from his parents not registering their marriage, which was done abroad.

Omar will now be persuing a Bachelor in Human Resource Management at UUM.

"I am very grateful to be allowed to further my studies here. I will do my best and not waste this opportunity," he said.

Omar, from Sintok, Kedah, is currently waiting for the National Registration Department to issue his MyKad.

Another student, Anis Aqila Za'aba, 21, from Ipoh, Perak said she was elated when she received the offer to further her studies in Bachelor of Tourism Management at UUM.

Anis is one of the 10 disabled students who registered with UUM. She has eyesight impairment in one of her eyes.

"I did not believe it when I found out about my application. I was working as a cashier in Ipoh when I saw the results and I screamed in front of the customers because I was so happy.

"My mother was delighted too. I will study hard to fulfill my dream," she said.