History

The Charter of Justice 1807 (First Charter) established English Law, known as Lex Loci (law of the land), in Penang.

The Charter of Justice 1826 (Second Charter) established English Law, known as Lex Loci, in Singapore and Malacca although the law did not replace customary law. As a result, local laws and customs were transferred to English law.

The Straits Settlements were detached from the Government of India through the Straits Settlements Act 1866 under legislative power.

In line with the Letter of Conferment, legislative power in the colonies was approved by the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements.

The Federated Malay States (Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang) became British protected states. On 13.7.1889, they were unified to form the Federation of Malaya.

Prior to 1895, the Federation of Malaya operated separately until laws were introduced for the registration of birth, death, burial, marriage and divorce. In 1895, it operated under the Federal Council.

Birth and death records kept by the National Registration Department for nearly 150 years continue to be preserved. In 1948, the first identity card was issued during the emergency and the regulations were later expanded through the Emergency Ordinance 1948.

Identity cards for the Federation of Malaya were issued on 2 August 1960. Matters relating to birth, death, adoption, citizenship and marriage were initially under state governments until federal laws were drafted to provide registration services to the public.