[UPDATED] No go for private members’ bills on citizenship for M’sian mums’ foreign-born kids

KUALA LUMPUR – Parliament has rejected all 17 private members’ bills submitted for constitutional amendments to be made so that Malaysian mothers can confer citizenship on their overseas-born children.

Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said all 17 MPs received a response from the Dewan Rakyat speaker that such amendments cannot be passed without the consent of the Conference of Rulers.

Azalina, who chairs the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for Women and Children Affairs and Social Development, reiterated the committee’s willingness to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to explain the matter.

“It is my sincere hope that the government of the day prioritises measures that can be taken to allow citizenship for children born overseas to Malaysian mothers, as is their birthright.

“We must act in the best interest of our children and the rights of Malaysian mothers, and we must act now,” she said in a statement.

Last month, Azalina submitted a private member’s bill for constitutional amendments to be made to Part 2 Schedule 2 of the Federal Constitution for the words “or mother” could be included.

This would then allow children born overseas to Malaysian mothers to be recognised as Malaysian citizens.

Sixteen other MPs also submitted similar private member’s bills. They are Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (Lanang), Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Pandan), Hannah Yeoh (Segambut), Nurul Izzah Anwar (Permatang Pauh), Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan), Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai), Datuk Hasanuddin Yunus (Hulu Langat), Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya), Datuk Mohd Hatta Md Ramli, Lumut, M. Kula Segaran (Ipoh Barat), Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching), Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar), Tan Kok Wai (Cheras), Lim Guan Eng (Bagan), Steven Sim Chee Keong (Bukit Mertajam) and Datin Paduka Tan Yee Kew (Wangsa Maju).

Azalina reiterated her position that the law, as it stands, which prevents this right to Malaysian mothers, is “outright discriminatory to women”.

“It is morally untenable to leave thousands of children born to Malaysian mothers stateless, not knowing their fate.”

The matter has been challenged in court in a suit brought by six Malaysian mothers under the group Family Frontiers, and is due to be heard at the Federal Court on December 14.

The mothers are appealing against the Court of Appeal’s decision denying automatic citizenship to their foreign-born children. – The Vibes, October 5, 2022