Birth registration for Malaysian baby born in Japan

Since we were rather unfortunate during Humaidi’s registration at the Embassy, hubby suggested me sharing information regarding required documents for birth registration for Malaysian baby born in Japan. When we asked around before we went for the registration, it seemed like most friends had already discarded the list and when we called the consular desk in the Embassy, we didn’t get a full list, so we hope this entry could be helpful for other Malaysians seeking such info.

A child born outside Malaysia can obtain Malaysian nationality if the father is a Malaysian citizen and the baby is registered at the Embassy within one year of birth (before the child becomes 1 year old), notwithstanding the required birth registration at the respective ward/city office within 14 days of birth.

We share here documents needed in a scenario where both parents are Malaysian (it might differ a bit in case the mother is not a Malaysian).

1. Passport of both parents
2. Birth certificate of Malaysia of both parents
3. MyKad of both parents
4. Certificate of marriage/Islamic Certificate of marriage issued by Malaysian government/ Malaysian Islamic Authority
5. Certificate of Alien Registration ("Gaikokujin Toroku Genpyoukisai Jikou Shoumenshou") of both parents, (not the Alien Registration card) issued by ward/city office (must be within 3 months of issuance)
6. Baby’s certificate of birth in unified form issued by the hospital ("Shussei Shoumenshou") or copy of such document issued by ward/city office
7. Birth registration certificate (in boshi techo) issued by ward/city office
8. Passport sized (5 x 3.5 cm) photos of baby faces the front and both eyes open.

Additional notes：

Make three photocopies of all required documents in A-4 sized paper.

Photocopy of passport requires pages with records of passport number, personal information, visa, extension (if applicable) and signature of holder.

Photocopy of MyKad must show both front and back on the same page

In case where original copies of documents 2, 3, 4 are not available, certified true copies could be accepted. Documents could be certified as true copies by Malaysian Embassy/Consulate officers.

Applications could only be made from 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. on working days. Consular desk telephone number is 03- 3476 38409, fax is 03-3476 4971

I said three copies, since most parents also apply for baby’s passport on the same day, which basically require similar documents. For those living outside Tokyo, you could even ask for same day delivery of baby’s passport (non chip-based) by consulting the Consular officer in advance.

5 copies of baby’s passport-sized photos are needed – 2 for birth registration, 2 for the passport and another for the Embassy record. It has to be Malaysian style passport photos – 5 x 3.5 cm with blue background – so, it could not be taken in the ordinary photo kiosk. There’s one photo shop next to Donki Hote (Don Quixote actually, following its katakana pronunciation) outlet in Shibuya where such photos could be taken. Hubby tried asking at a few photo shops in Asakusa, but none could accommodate the required blue back or the different size. The photographer took 9 shots before we finally got an acceptable pose from the baby, so be patient. If I’m not mistaken, 6 copies of the photos cost us about 3000 yen. But if you are a good photographer, has suitable blue back and color printer, you might want to opt for a home-made Malaysian-style passport photo.

Humaidi's first passport photo, taken a week before he turned 3 months old

Huzaifah's first passport photo, taken when he was a little over 3 months old

For mothers, please ask for two original copies of Certificate of birth before leaving the hospital after childbirth. One is needed for the birth registration at ward/city office while another is for the birth registration at the Embassy. A photocopy (or a copy from the ward/city office) is needed for the child’s visa application. I only got one original copy of Certificate of birth at the hospital, so I needed to get the copy from the ward office which cost 350 yen each.

And lastly, don't forget to bring the baby along for the registration/passport application because they need to get baby’s fingerprints…

UPDATE

Hafiizh and Jan from Hitachi, Ibaraki requested me to add 3 more points:

1. To bring along Certificate of Alien Registration for the baby, obtained from the ward/city office. That blue card, instead of the normal Alien Card for adults, issued for kids below 16 years. And respective copies.

2. To get Jyuri Shoumensho from the ward/city office. I have no idea what this is exactly since I was not asked for it.

3. To bring enough money and avoid going to the (not-so-near) nearest kombini - more than 6000 yen for both baby's passport and registration. Baby's passport is RM150, but the price in yen changes monthly, in accordance with the current exchange rate.

So there...

Sometimes...

I feel like I want to
Look at baby Humaidi all day long...
Let his still tiny fingers grip my not-so-tiny ones
Softly massage his chubby yet fluffy body
Goo-goo gaa-gaa back as he attempts goo- goo gaa-gaaing
Smile back at his toothless smiles

He is over 100 days old now
Could no longer fit real "newborn" clothes
Yet sometimes,
I still feel like
I want to keep holding him all day long
Look at him all day long
Cuddle him all day long
Just like the way I felt on the day he was born

That's normal, right?

Felt so touched...

1. Being told “I was so happy to see you on the train” by a French Muslim soccer player (of Moroccan origin) who is currently in Tokyo, trying out his luck with several Japanese soccer clubs.

He and his two fellow French Muslim (one also of Morocan origin, the other of Algerian). I was on my way back home from school that night, when he came near me and greeted “Assalamualaikum”. He asked if I know any halal restaurant in Asakusa, to which I said yes. He gave me a piece of paper, asking me to write the direction to go there. It was a bit difficult to draw the map since he was not very familiar with the area, so I volunteered to show them the place myself. There are two restaurants serving halal meat in Asakusa – one is Siddique and the other Shagorika. But I usually direct people to Shagorika, because the owner, Brother Kamal (a Bangladeshi) and his workers usually pray Jumuah at Asakusa Mosque, and Brother Kamal too had personally contributed some food to the mosque on several occasions previously.

When we reached the restaurant, I personally introduced the soccer players to brother Kamal. Initially they said that they would like to go back to their hostel to shower and come back to the restaurant later, but upon learning that they could also buy take-outs, they opted for the latter. The leader of the troop, the first guy who greeted me, asked me to order something for me and hubby, as his treat. I asked for cheese nan and tandoori chicken like his two friends, and we chatted a bit while waiting for our order.

“I was so happy to see you on the train,” he said. Because tudung-clad Muslimah is not an everyday sight in Tokyo. And somehow it is comforting to see a fellow Muslim in a foreign land. And he was so happy to meet someone who is able to direct them to a halal eating place and the mosque.

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2. Being told that I am a most treasured friend by an equally treasured friend (you know who you are)

Like I said – I am only human. I tried to help where possible, I tried to give wherever possible, but I am not flawless. And when I give, I try not to expect anything in return from fellow human beings – because everything comes from Allah. There would be times when we find ourselves indebted to some kind souls, yet at other times we found others feeling that they are indebted to us…

And then there’s also that “tidak sempurna iman seseorang sehingga dia mengasihi saudaranya sebagaimana dia mengasihi diri sendiri” part that I try to live with…

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3. Being told that I write well.

I know I have a lot more to learn, but being complimented so, by a more popular blogger (if numbers of comments left in the blog could be the base of one's popularity), well, stirred something inside me. Thank you kak D!

Shuffle My Music - Part 2

Since I got less than half correct answers for the music shuffle tag thingy, I thought why shouldn’t I post another entry on the answers (nicked this idea from Theta’s blog, actually, heheheh)

So here goes nothing – where possible, clicking on the song’s title will link it to the video clip at YouTube.

1. Telah ku mungkiri janjiku lagi/ walau seribu kali kuulang sendiri/ aku takkan tempuh lagi - Mirwana x Jay Jay, "Aku Tanpa CintaMu"

2. Oh Allah the Almighty, protect me and guide me / to Your love and mercy – Sami Yusuf, “Hasbi Rabbi”

3. Kimi ga ima koko ni iru koto/ tobikiri no unmei ni/ kokoro kara arigatou – SMAP, “Dear Woman” (Tsubaki syampoo advertisement song)

4. Agar terlerai kesangsian hati ini/ Sekadar air mata tak mampu membasuhi dosa ini – Hijjaz, “Sebelum Terlena”

5. Cause who used to hold you, and clean you and clothe you? / who used to feed you and always be with you? – Yusuf Islam and Friends (Rashid Bikha) “Your Mother” (as often heard on RTM - who next? Your mother, who next? Your mother…and then your faaather…)

6. Shinjiyou/ futari dakara/ai shiaeru - Ito Yuna, "Precious" (theme song for Limit of Love, Umizaru 3)

7. Boku no me wa/ kimi shika utsuranai – Kinki Kids “Hakka Candy” (theme song for Moto Kare)

8. Diciptakan manusia sebaik-baiknya supaya menjadi insan berguna/ agar beriman dan bertaqwa – Hijjaz “Zapin Kesyukuran” (aka nasyid terkejut because its starting “Subhanallah” could actually made some people terkejut)

9. Now I ‘m alone filled with so much shame / for all the years I caused you pain - Sami Yusuf, "Mother"

10. Tangan yang disangka lembut menghayun buaian/ mengoncang dunia mencipta sejarah - Hijjaz, "Sumayyah"

11. Atsui namida ya koi sakebino/ kagayakeru hi wa doko e kietano – Keisuke Kuwata “Ashita Harerukana” (theme song of Propose Daisakusen aka Celebration Love)

12. Ku harap dia adalah yang terbaik buatku / kerana Engkau tahu segala isi hatiku/ Pelihara daku dari kemurkaanMu – InTeam, “Doa Seorang Kekasih” (our wedding song – played during the cake cutting ceremony)

13. When you find that special someone/ Feel your whole life has barely begun/ You can walk on the moon, shout it to everyone – Zain Bikha x Dawud Wharnsby “Allah Knows”

14. Sabishii toki wa/ato sukoshi tsukiatte/ umaku hanashi o kiite kurenai ka - Hirai Ken, "Kimi wa Tomodachi" (theme song for Wonderful Life )

15. Kokoro no koe wa/kimi ni todoku no kana/ chinmoku no uta ni notte – Mr Children, “Shirushi” (theme song for 14 sai no Haha)

16. Kekasih sejati teman yang berbudi/ kasihnya bukan keterpaksaan – In Team “Nur Kasih” (my cousin Azman’s wedding song)

17. Dosa-dosaku bagaikan pepasir di pantai/ dengan rahmatMu ampunkan daku Oh Tuhan ku – Raihan, “Iktiraf”

18. No you can’t take your big screen TV/ nor your variety of DVDs/ No you can’t take your designer shoes - Zain Bikha x Dawud Wharnsby, "Can"t Take it With You"

19. Arigatou to kimi iwareru to/ nandaka setsunai/ sayonara no ato mo tokenu mahou/awaku horonigai - Utada Hikaru, "Flavor of Life" (song often played in Hana Yori Dango 2)

20. Iman tak dapat diwarisi dari seorang ayah yang bertaqwa/ Ia tak dapat dijualbeli/ Ia tiada di tepian pantai- Raihan, "Iman Mutiara"

21. Hontou no yume wa itsumo soba ni aru/ hateshinaku hiroi sekai hitotsu dake kagayaita – Arashi “We Can Make It” (theme song for Bambino)

22. Omoi dashita keshiki wa/ tabidatsu ni no kirei na sora dakishimete - Shuuji to Akira, "Seishun Amigo" (theme song for Nobuta o Produce)

23. Bahagia itu ada di jiwa/ mahkota di singgahsana rasa/bahagia itu adalah suatu ketenangan – UNIC “Hakikat Bahagia”

24. You, you’re not aware that we’re aware of your despair/ don’t show your tears to your oppressor - Sami Yusuf x Outlandish "Try Not To Cry"

25. Diam-diamlah sayang, jangan menangis/ doakan ayah semoga diterima - Ae-man (Originally by Nadamurni), "Di Pondok Kecil"

See Zyrin, I told you I mostly listen to a lot of Japanese dorama’s theme songs…

No circumcision just yet

Called up San Iku Kai Hospital this morning. Asked for Iga-san, the nurse/surgery coordinator with whom I had a long interview last week regarding Humaidi’s circumcision procedure. Just to inform her that I’m canceling the appointment for Humaidi’s circumcision.

Why?

Because his Embah and Tok Ayah said so.

Mak called up last night – just to make sure that we didn’t go on with the plan to circumcise Humaidi this week. Not with full body anesthesia. They are cool with it only if local anesthetic is used – unfortunately we couldn’t find such procedure here.

“Do you know how many people did not survive full body anesthetic? 2 percent. Why risk being that 2 percent only for circumcision?,” Mak practically shrieked at me via the phone last Saturday. “I would be very disappointed if you go on and do it. Kalau anak Mak, Mak tak buat...” she continued when I lamely mumbled something along the line of isn’t everything involves risks.

When Iga-san asked for explanation on the sudden decision not to circumcise (Humaidi is supposed to be hospitalized tomorrow), I told her that the baby’s ojiichan and obaachan in Malaysia are worried and do not want us to do it. She asked if we would like to book another date, but I just told her that we will just wait until the baby grows older and bigger, so no thanks, no alternative date is necessary.

So, no circumcision adventure to share, after all.

A note of thanks...

A note of thanks to:

1. Kit – for her unending support and for sending me Dina Zaman’s “I am Muslim” as a combo belated-birthday-and-congratulations-on-new-baby gift. I finished reading the book the night of the day I got it. I have started to enjoy reading Dina Zaman’s writing back when I was still a teenager, chuckling over her musings in Din’s Dalca. Have always been a follower of her blogs before they went defunct and currently a follower of her column in The Star. I have read parts of “I am Muslim” when Malaysiakini began allowing readers to read Rentakini without having to pay subscription fees. Like Kit I found the book refreshing and an eye-opener. Unlike Dina, I don’t know any murtad person(or at least someone who openly declare him/herself to be murtad), I don’t have gay friends, I never exchange e-mails with tudung clad possible lesbian-wannabe and I don’t think any of my friends lost their virginity before marriage. So yes, reading Dina’s writing enable me to see Kuala Lumpur and its people differently. Her writing has always been “refreshing” as I gasped, gawked, chuckled, nodded and shook my head in due course. Not that I agree with everything that she has to say, but then again – that is exactly why I read her writings – to get a different viewpoints. And learn new things. And learn to appreciate differences so that I could learn and think about ways to bridge gaps between Muslims in different forms (than the ones I am used to.)

2. DPA 2001 colleagues undergoing JICA training in Tokyo – Joe, Zaini and Kak Wan - for taking the time to visit our family in Asakusa despite their tight schedule. And I thank Fary for being the guide. Joe obligingly brought a bottle of Gripe water for my colicky baby and 1 kg of Milo for the Milo-holic parents, while Kak Wan generously presented me a bottle of Kimball chilli sauce and some packets of instant santan. Loved how they gushed over my masak lemak cili api, sweet-and-sour salmon and ayam goreng, as they were going for a 2 weeks course in Tochigi and knew that it would be some time before they could eat Malaysian food (or at least food cooked a`la Malaysian style – because I know I would never cook sweet-and-sour salmon in Malaysia. Bawal is more like it). A note to Tini - I am sure I have invited you to my home before, but in case I haven't made myself clear, please come visit us anytime you are free :-)

3. DPA 2001 ex-classmate, Amal, who had offered to bring a lot of goodies from Malaysia (although I have to pay for them - but these things are a lot cheaper in Malaysia and some could not be found in Japan). Am going to ask him to bring back some stuff to Malaysia on my behalf too... Amal with his usual 'poyo'ness (which I never really minded because whatever else he is, Amal could be a reliable friend) earlier remarked that if we couldn't find to meet up, then maybe he could ask some lower guy to send the stuff direct to my place, now that he is an M48 officer (and yours truly have not even sit for PTK 1 yet - but have already signed up to sit for it in December). But Shah, another ex-classmate who is currently studying in Tokyo too - has told me that he is going to take Amal to visit Asakusa on Saturday. Should be interesting to hear Amal's take on this and that as it has been quite some time since I last listened to his poyoness...

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Special thanks to Hubby for being so accommodating when Humaidi turned 3 month old yesterday.

We went to Shibuya to register Humaidi’s birth at the Embassy as well as make his passport. I have called the consular office before, to find out what are the documents needed. I thought we had them all, but turned out the copy of birth registration that we got from the hospital (which we paid over 4000 yen for) was not the one the Embassy wants. Hubby offered to take care of the kids at the Embassy while I took care of other matters.

So I went alone to Ueno to get a copy of the wanted birth registration form from Taito-ku Ward Office (where I submitted the original in order to get a “birth certificate” label to be pasted in my/Humaidi’s boshi techo). As well as getting hubby’s and my certificate of alien registration (not to be mistaken with the Alien registration card that we carry everywhere). While I was already at the Ward office, also managed to fill up tax form, confirmed that both hubby and I are not eligible to pay tax, as well as got a discount for health insurance installments. We got a huge discount – we only need to pay up until July and no more until March next year since the amount we already paid is sufficient for the whole fiscal year (which begins in April).

As we were in the mood to celebrate Humaidi’s 3-months birthday, and the weather was gorgeously sunshiny, we went to Ebisu Garden Place after leaving the Embassy. Bought a 5 flavor Special Day ice cream (only on sale on the 5th, 15th and 25th) at Haagen Dazs shared by Huzaifah, hubby and I while the birthday boy drooled.

Next, we went searching for Hiroo Mosque (also known as Arab Islamic Institute) which is actually closer to Roppongi than Hiroo. Had some difficulty to locate it at first, until we met a florist who gave the right direction. Funny to note that so far we had found two different mosques (the other being Otsuka Mosque) with the help of florists. Prior to that we tried asking a patrolling policeman and a security guard at an apartment block but both were ignorant of the mosque’s existence. In fact the security guard asked back in shock “Nihon ni mosuke ga aru?” (There is a mosque in Japan?), to which I laughingly answered “Atta yo. Ippai mo” (Of course. A lot too). Wonderful sights (Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Tower), modern (with elevators and vending machines inside mosque plus great sound system), big, clean, nice-smelling toilets and ablution area (even equipped with diaper-changing fold-out table) - it goes without saying that Hiroo Mosque is of of the nicest mosques in town, perhaps second only after Tokyo Camii. Hubby waited until Isyak there, but by then it was getting more difficult to control our ever active Huzaifah.

Noticing that I was already tired and walking with a slight limp (my right calf hurt like hell), hubby sportingly suggested dining out. Thus we went to Roppongi and had dinner at Aladdin Restaurant. It is more exclusive (read: expensive) than most halal restaurants we usually frequent, but I love the fact that there was no alcohol served there even though it is located right across a liquor store. Hubby too got to practice his rusty Arabic as he chatted with the Egyptian restaurant staff.

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Internet connection at home is currently in limbo between cancellation (of Softbank BB) and new installation (of @TCOM). Am posting this (and the previous) entry from school, but I don’t go to school often now (just once a week). So please bear my temporary hiatus until we get it all sorted out and I get a proper 24/7 broadband connection at home again.

Complicated...

Honestly, I didn't know that circumcision in Japan could be oh-so-complicated.

Went to San Iku Kai hospital this morning, taking Humaidi to what I thought was going to be his circumcision. It was that simple with Huzaifah when we did it in Malaysia. We got ourselves an appointment first, and on the said day brought him to the medical center, where Ayah took him inside the operation theatre and it was all over in less than half an hour. The doctor gave us some medicine and then we could go back home. Then, the outer skin fell off the bell-hop after 5 days...

Humaidi first met the surgeon who does circumcision about two months back, when we were advised to see the doctor after Humaidi is over 3 months old. He gave us an appointment for today, so I mistakenly thought that Humaidi was going to be circumcised today.

Turned out, it was another consultation session – the surgeon just want to check baby’s condition before giving the go-ahead for the real thing. The nurses took some blood sample (in a different room, but I could hear him howling in protest… poor baby) to determine his blood type and to check for any signs of infections. No circumcision for infected babies or those having flu/cold. No immunization within one month prior to, and after circumcision. Yup – they are that particular.

Next, the surgeon gave me an outline of the schedule. Humaidi will need to be hospitalized for 3 days. On day 1, he will first meet a paediatrician. Only if he is given a clean bill of health, then he could be warded. He will then will have to be x-rayed. Followed by ECG.

Day 2 will be the actual surgery day. It will be a 30 minutes surgery, during which he will be wearing the gas mask. I was surprised by the gas mask part. The surgeon assured me that putting the baby under the gas mask will be a lot safer than just applying local anesthetic. I can be sure that the baby will not be moving around so the surgeon will be able to carry out his work quickly and more efficiently. Oh…

Day 3, he will be discharged if he develops no symptoms of infections. Then he will have to be brought to the hospital in a week’s time for a final check-up by the surgeon.

The surgeon then explained a lot of documents to be signed and to be brought to the hospital on the day Humaidi is to be hospitalized. Agreements on this and that. He advised me to seek some help from Japanese-educated friend to understand the content of all the documents before signing them. Stuff like I understand that allowing my son to go through this procedure involves risks for pain during peeing and as such. I nodded dutifully. Basharan is coming to visit us tomorrow – so he will be my sensei. (But our good friend Mizan will always be our main sensei – in fact I have already named him as point of reference in case of emergency for this time, like I did when I was admitted to give birth to Humaidi)

Will share more of this circumcision adventure next week insya Allah. As it is, Humaidi is scheduled to be hospitalized next Wednesday, and circumcised on Thursday…

Things that make me go "errrrr...."

1. News on negligence for a supposed-to-be-simple circumcision procedure in Malaysia has caused me to lose some sleep. I have an appointment for Humaidi to be circumcised this coming Friday in San Iku Kai hospital, where I gave birth to him. Huzaifah was circumcised when he was only 4 days old, but here, circumcision could only be performed on person over 3 months old, due to the anesthetic used. My cousin Hafiz who is studying medicine in Australia reassured me that the negligence cases in circumcision is very, very rare… but still, it does got me rattled…

2. Long before I was married, Mak spelled it out quite clearly that we should not depend on her and Ayah to take care of our children. However, as it was, Mak was the one who took care of Huzaifah for the first 6 months of his life. Now that I have two kids to look after, Mak has asked me to consider sending Huzaifah back to Malaysia, so that it would be easier for me to study/write my dissertation. Mak said that while it is probably best for kids to be raised by their own parents, circumstances may differ from person to person and time to time. Ayah asked me to seriously consider this too. I casually cautioned Ayah that having extra energetic Huzaifah around might cause his Tok Ayah to be extra letih. But Ayah just said “bagus lah, cucu aktif, nanti Tok Ayah pun aktif la sama…” Hubby said he is leaving the final say entirely to me…

3. My younger brother is going to get married in November. I would very much like to go back at least for the kenduri sambut menantu. I believe Mak will be glad to have someone else to see to details of the kenduri. And these things could only be done in person, there in Malaysia, not by someone who is thousands of miles away. But there are other more pressing (financial) matter that we have to handle right now, so I am not sure whether or not I will be able to go back home for his wedding…

4. I don’t think I fit in my current zemi (sort of homeroom, where students who share the same supervisor belong to). I actually asked for a different supervisor, but upon entrance as full time student, was assigned to this. My proposed thesis has nothing to do with the so-called expertise area of my supervisor. I was hoping to be able to mix (and practice Nihongo) with more Nihonjin in zemi since I am not attending a lot of classes now, but there is none in my zemi. None. Instead Mandarin is often spoken in the zemi when I understand zilch. Frankly, I am jealous of other zemis where the members seem to get along so well, able to go on trips together, hang out after class, celebrate birthdays, and the Nihonjin members helping their gaijin zemi counterparts with stuff like explaining letters/notices or making phone calls in Nihongo in time of need. Mine? Well, for a start, none of them visited me at the hospital or merely called to congratulate me when I gave birth to Humaidi even after I told the zemi’s ‘monitor’ the happy news. Oh, and the monitor herself sometimes call me “Arza”. I seriously feel like changing my zemi, but I have been advised by others not to do it, because we never know if we might end up having the current supervisor as the second examiner who might not take the decision to change to another zemi very kindly…

5. Huzaifah is still not talking in any language his parents could understand even when we are only using BM exclusively. I know, the positive effect of using three different languages while he was a baby might not show just yet, but I really wish that he could talk properly now. I have seen parents with toddlers his age able to actually chat with each other yet Huzaifah is still stuck at having “ta-ta” as the only vocabulary that his parents could understand…