KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya’s decision to appeal a high court ruling on the conferment of citizenship to children born overseas to Malaysian mothers has been described as “medieval thinking”.
Refusing equal rights to grant citizenship is a clear act of discrimination against women, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Padang Rengas-BN) said in describing the law as unfair punishment.
In view of this, he urged the government not to pursue its appeal and to abide by the high court’s ruling.
“This is medieval thinking. It should not be happening in 2021. That is why I completely disagree that the government has filed an appeal,” he said in debating the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Nazri is the latest in a line of MPs who have taken the government to task over its decision to appeal the ruling, with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) among those who have made public their disapproval in Parliament.
In his debate, Nazri said the appeal is especially baffling as it is usually filed by parties that are challenging a government’s decision.
“I am asking the government, please have some compassion for our women and innocent children. These children can’t be expected to ask their mothers to give birth in Malaysia.
“In fact, we are not only discriminating against women, but are also committing a sin towards the innocent babies who have no clue they are being born overseas.”
Nazri also questioned the government’s stand that it does not recognise dual citizenship, adding that all Malaysians should be able to decide their citizenship upon reaching the age of 18.
He said the government has no excuse to not grant equal conferment of citizenship to Malaysian mothers, and questioned its spirit of Keluarga Malaysia as championed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“In countries like the US, their government will come searching for all individuals who are born in the country even if their parents are Malaysians, because they want to collect tax.
“That should be the way of thinking. We need more citizens, not fewer. Please don’t drag this issue any longer, and withdraw the appeal immediately,” he said. – The Vibes, September 20, 2021
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