KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 – The amendment to Article 15(A) of the Federal Constitution regarding the citizenship of Malaysian children born abroad will be presented at the Parliament session in October. Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, stated that the amendment will involve replacing the phrase ‘father’ in Part I and Part II of Schedule II with the phrase ‘at least one of the parents.’ “In our laws, we only mention the father, excluding the mother. So, we want to include both parents in the amendment.
“It is unfair to include only the father. This concerns innocent children who are born out of love and marriage,” he said. He made the statement at the International Malaysian Law Conference (IMLC) 2023 organized by the Malaysian Bar Council at a hotel here on Monday. Also present were the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Mukhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir; Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, and Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz.
Among the attendees were also the President and Founder of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz; the Chief Justice, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, and the President of the Bar Council, Karen Cheah Yee Lynn. Regarding the fate of stateless individuals, Anwar explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs has received numerous citizenship applications, and the government recognizes the urgent need to take action.
“Several critical issues contribute to the challenges faced by stateless individuals in Malaysia. Efforts are underway to resolve citizenship issues for children born abroad to Malaysian mothers. “This amendment will also be presented at the meeting of the Conference of Rulers in the near future. I believe the Conference of Rulers will provide their support, and we will present the amendment in the Parliament session next October,” he said.
