LINA Samuel, a 65-year-old cancer patient who died today amid dispute over her nationality, was issued a temporary identification document to allow her to get medical treatment, the National Registration Department (NRD) said.

“The deceased who was previously reported by the media as not having an identification card to seek treatment in a hospital had attracted the attention of many parties.

“The NRD had met with the deceased and reopened the investigation papers on her case. However, due to concerns over Lina’s welfare, the NRD issued her a temporary identification document (KPPK11) on April 13, 2023,” it said in a statement today.

It also said according to a statement by the Sarawak health director, Lina was given appropriate treatment in Miri Hospital continuously without any prejudice despite the absence of the identity document.

The NRD expressed its condolences to the family of the late Lina.

Earlier, it was reported that Lina, who had stage four colon cancer, died this morning.

Lina’s death was confirmed by Parti Bangsa Malaysia’s Agnes Padan, who said the cancer victim died in Lawas Hospital.

Lina had alleged that her identity card was seized by a NRD officer in November 2022, when she visited the department to change her address before the general election.

However, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Lina’s MyKad was impounded by the NRD on October 8, 2019 after it was discovered that she was listed as an Indonesian on her children’s birth certificates.

Lina is a member of the Lun Bawang community.

After a meeting with officers from Kuching NRD, she was issued a temporary MyKad, which allowed her to travel from Lawas to Miri to be treated for colon cancer.

Agnes today revealed that Lina had declined treatment in the past few days, saying she was too weak. – April 25, 2023.