Kuala Lumpur: A young ethnic Indian couple in Malaysia has appealed to people to donate books, stationery, uniforms and food to help in the education of poor children, particularly those who do not have birth certificates.

W. Navin Raj and wife K. Nisha, both 32, started the project after reading about the plight of eight children who were barred from attending school for close to a month because they have no birth certificates.

The children have since been allowed to return after their plight was highlighted by The Star recently.

"We are going to do everything possible to make sure these kids are in school where they are supposed to be," said Navin Raj, a sales engineer.

Navin Raj said since they highlighted the plight of the children on their website, many people had offered assistance.

Lack of a birth certificate, which guarantees the national identity card, is required in Malaysia for anyone needing education, job or housing.

Multi-racial Malaysia is home to 2.1 million ethnic Indians, most of whom settled here during the British era. Many did not take up citizenship, out of poverty or ignorance.

The government is currently conducting a campaign to facilitate certificates and identity cards, focusing on the poor and the unlettered. IANS