KUALA LUMPUR – Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin will raise the issue of an illegitimate child’s citizenship status to the cabinet or relevant minister.
In a statement today, she said this is to ensure the boy is granted Malaysian citizenship in accordance with Article 15(2) of the federal constitution.
Zuraida said she notes the Federal Court’s majority decision on Friday that the child is not eligible for citizenship even though his father is Malaysian.
“While we respect decisions made by the judiciary in carrying out their constitutional duties, I have to express my disagreement in this case.
“The decision is devoid of the spirit of justice and compassion.”
Zuraida, who is also founder of the Council of Malaysian Women Political Leaders, said no child should be denied citizenship on the basis of their illegitimate status.
“It is time for us to end the damage inflicted on innocent people due to an outdated provision, namely Article 17 of the federal constitution, which was used for the majority judgment in the case.”
She said she is committed to raising the related issues to the government.
The Federal Court, in a 4-3 decision, dismissed an appeal by the 10-year-old, who was born to a Malaysian father and a Filipino mother, to secure Malaysian citizenship.
Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Rohana Yusuf, who delivered the decision, said the boy did not meet the criteria under the constitution to be declared a Malaysian citizen by operation of law.
The child was born in the Philippines in September 2010, and a few months later, he and his parents travelled to Malaysia, where the couple registered their marriage in February 2011. – Bernama, May 30, 2021
