Saifuddin to prioritise issue of children born to Malaysian mothers overseas

 

Newly minted Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today vowed to prioritise the issue of citizenship involving children born overseas to Malaysian mothers.

Speaking to reporters at his first press conference in the office, Saifuddin (above, centre) said the ministry will look into the matter from every aspect, including humanity.

"This was among the issues that I have been briefed about (after assuming the job). It will be my priority and we will look at all aspects.

"Including the aspects of our Federal Constitution, current laws and also humanity. Everything will be taken into consideration," he said.

Under the Federal Constitution, only Malaysian fathers can pass their citizenship automatically to their children who are born overseas.

Malaysian mothers who are married to foreigners and give birth to their offspring outside Malaysia were not given the same right as the Federal Constitution omits the mention of mothers.

This had caused many children born to Malaysian mothers overseas unable to get Malaysian citizenship and these mothers had to go through tedious application processes - which often ended up in their children’s applications being rejected by the government.

On Sept 9 last year, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, which heard a civil action by six Malaysian mothers and Family Frontiers, declared that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers and foreign fathers are automatically entitled to Malaysian citizenship.

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However, the Home Ministry, then led by minister Hamzah Zainuddin, had filed an appeal to quash the High Court ruling.

The appeal was allowed by the Court of Appeal in August this year. Following this, the mothers have taken the case to the Federal Court.

Meanwhile, on Digital Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil's call for the police to investigate Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over alleged vote buying, the home minister said he would leave the matter to the police.

"We believe that if there is a basis for police to investigate, then they will do it.

"Let's give them room and freedom to act, based on the reports. I believe in the professionalism of the police and I give them the freedom to do their job."

On Sunday, Fahmi said he wanted the authorities to probe Sanusi over alleged vote buying.

This came after the menteri besar, during a ceramah in Padang Serai last Friday night, railed against Perikatan Nasional (PN) supporters asking for duit minyak (transport allowance) in exchange for votes. - Mkini