Baby Zayn gets first SG50 birth certificate

The  first SG50 baby commemorative birth certificate was handed out yesterday at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

Baby Zayn Qushairi Zulkifli, who was born at 12.45am on Jan 1 and weighed 3.2kg, was the first jubilee newborn to have his birth registered at 8am yesterday.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Grace Fu presented the certificate to the baby's parents Nur Qasrina Nerva, 28, and Zulkifli Maswari, 27.

The couple, who have been married for three years and have two daughters, aged three and two, were hoping for a son this time round.

"Now I will have a fishing kaki (Malay for buddy)," said Mr Zulkifli, a technician. The baby's mother, a customer service executive, said: "I hope he'll be like his father - handsome, ambitious and hard-working. "And maybe like Zayn Malik from One Direction," she added, referring to the British boy band.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Ms Fu wrote: "The idea of having a special birth cert for our SG50 babies was mooted by many members of the public last year, and I'm glad that we took it up.

"I hope this will be a treasured memento for our SG50 babies as they grow with the nation."

The earliest parents could register their 2015 babies was yesterday, as birth registration counters are closed on public holidays.

As of 4pm yesterday, 40 SG50 babies, including baby Zayn, had been registered with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

Parents are encouraged to register their child's birth within two weeks of delivery.

Asked about the certificate and its folder, Ms Nerva said she liked their unique designs, created by local designer Wang Shijia.

The golden folder features a bright red baby rattle and motifs of the national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid.

The special birth certificate, which every SG50 newborn will receive, sports an "SG50 Baby" logo, a full-coloured State Crest and the message "Celebrating 50 years of Independence". It also comes with a congratulatory message written by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Part of his message to baby Zayn said: "Every child is precious. We work hard to give them better lives, and raise them to be the best that they can be. We place our hopes and dreams in them, and love them unconditionally. Into their hands we will entrust Singapore's future.

"Our parents and grandparents worked hard to make this a beautiful home for all of us. They built a country which nurtures our children, and gives everyone every opportunity to fulfil his potential. I hope that baby Zayn Qushairi and his generation will build on this, to make Singapore an even better country for us all."

yeosamjo@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 3, 2015.
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