Myanmar announces termination of use of temporary identity cards

YANGON - Myanmar has announced termination of use of temporary identity cards, also known as White Cards, saying that such kind of cards will expire on March 31.

According to a notification of the President's Office published on Thursday, holders of the temporary identity cards are to hand over to the authorities concerned by May 31 as deadline and such holders are to be scrutinized for citizenship in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations concerned.

An advisory commission will be formed to review laws, rules and regulations related to the temporary identity cards, the announcement said.

Meanwhile, a special citizenship scrutiny project is being carried out in accordance with the country's Citizenship Law.

Temporary identity white cards were issued to some people residing in Myanmar especially those with unidentified citizenship in western Rakhine state as necessary under Residents of Burma Registration Acts- 1949.

On Feb 3, Myanmar's parliament adopted suffrage of white card holders amid opposition by some MPs, allowing them to vote in upcoming national referendum bill on constitution amendment.

The adoption was made following debate on the voting rights of such white card holders who amount to 1.5 million, mostly Bengali Muslim residing in areas of Myanmar's western Rakhine state.

The parliament's passing of the decision has aroused widespread protest by local people.