GEORGE TOWN: All 18 couples who were told at the last minute to postpone their plans to tie the knot last week due to shortage of marriage certificates have finally wed.

       Che Hoon Khor Moral Uplifting Society secretary Choong Yit Chuan said the couples managed to solemnise their marriage after the certificates were obtained in time just before the weekend.

       "Initially, we had received appointments from 11 couples for marriage registration on Saturday (March 26) and 12 couples on Sunday (March 27).

       "At about 2pm on Friday (March 25), after failing to obtain their certificates from the state National Registration Department (JPN), we notified the couples that their registrations would have to be postponed.

       "Fortunately, after a press conference held to explain the matter and negotiations with JPN, we obtained the certificates at about 6pm on Friday.

       "The couples who were earlier told to postpone their marriage registration were called up again and all of them agreed to resume with the earlier appointed dates on Saturday and Sunday," said Choong on Monday (March 28).

       Choong said the society thanked JPN for their assistance to rectify the matter upon being alerted about it.

       "Many arrangements are involved for such a special occasion.

       "Some couples might have returned from overseas for it, or have family members take leave from work to attend their marriage ceremony.

       "We are glad that the matter was solved amicably," he said.

       On Friday, it was reported that 18 couples out of 23 couples that made appointments to register their marriage at the society had to postpone, as there was shortage of certificates where only five of it were available.

       The affected couples were then informed to postpone their appointments to a later date.