Even though, well before the formation of Malaysia, there were numerous records of the Penan in the areas claimed, it is not easy for individuals to prove their antecedents.

Many of the older people do not have birth certificates and the authorities do not always make it easy for the Penan to get identity cards.

Babies are rarely born in hospitals with doctors to sign the paperwork and elderly Penan cannot find someone even older to testify to their birth. Finding money to get a birth certificate can also be a problem.