Citizenship rules: Address other kids’ statelessness issues too – Suhakam

 

Following the government's decision that would see children born abroad to Malaysian mothers with foreign spouses being granted citizenship, Suhakam, in welcoming the move, also urged for a similar resolution to other children's statelessness issues.

Suhakam chairperson Rahmat Mohamad, in a statement, said citizenship issues are also faced by adopted and foundling children in Malaysia, Orang Asli, natives of Sabah and Sarawak, children born out of wedlock or unregistered marriages, undocumented persons and others.

"Last year, Suhakam received 138 complaints involving statelessness issues.

"Suhakam deeply appreciates the government's commitment to upholding human rights and social justice in Malaysia and is ready to work together to ensure that this new decision is implemented effectively," Rahmat (above) said.

On Friday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail jointly said the cabinet has agreed with the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution to allow Malaysian women the right to grant citizenship to their children born overseas to foreign fathers.

The proposed amendments to the Constitution pertain to changing the term “father” in Parts I and II of the Second Schedule with the term “at least one of the parents” to allow Malaysian mothers to get their parental rights according to the Constitution.

Part II of the Second Schedule of the Federal Constitution lays out the rules by which a person born after Malaysia Day can or cannot become a citizen of Malaysia.

"With the proposed amendment, the government has taken a positive step toward ensuring the human rights of every Malaysian, regardless of gender or place of birth, are recognised and protected," said Rahmat.

Family Frontiers, the rights group at the forefront of lobbying efforts for the amendment, said it looks forward to the consent of the Conference of Rulers and the smooth passage of the amendment, expected to be tabled in the current Parliament session. - Mkini