Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching lauded Putrajaya's decision to grant Rohana Abdullah citizenship but reminded the government that many stateless children are facing the same predicament.
Rohana, 22, was fortunate to receive the personal attention of Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin after the story of her being raised as a Muslim by her adoptive Chinese Malaysian mother was highlighted in the press.
Chee Hoi Lan, 83, who was a kindergarten teacher, had cared for Rohana after her Indonesian mother, who worked as a cleaner, abandoned her.
"I believe the approval letter is the best Raya gift for Rohana. While I feel very happy for Rohana and Madam Chee, we must not forget there are many more stateless people who have also gone through countless tragic encounters and experiences while living in Malaysia.
"Are Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin also committed to assisting them?
"Are they prepared to address the policy gaps in citizenship law so that the other stateless children will not have to go through the suffering and tragedy Rohana endured?" Teo said.
Eligible individuals
Teo noted that Hamzah had insisted that citizenship would only be granted to eligible individuals.
"But why was Rohana not deemed eligible in the past 20 years? And why three months after her plight was widely reported on social media, does she suddenly become eligible?
"What are the criteria the Home Ministry uses to decide who is eligible and who is not?" she said.
The DAP lawmaker proposes that the government grant citizenship to all stateless children whose father is Malaysian if they can provide DNA evidence.
The Home Ministry previously refused to accept such DNA evidence.
Likewise, Teo said all stateless children who are legally adopted by their Malaysian parents should also be granted citizenship.
Abandoned babies
Teo also cited the Federal Court's landmark decision on Nov 19 last year which ruled that abandoned babies should be recognised as Malaysian citizens by operation of law.
"I plead with the Keluarga Malaysia Government to find a permanent solution to end the misery of the stateless children. Let their predicament be finally heard this time.
"I hope they do not need to wait for media exposure before they receive calls from the prime minister and the approval letter of the home minister," he said. - Mkini
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