Parliament Passes Law Allowing Mothers To Pass On Citizenship To Children Born Overseas
A total of 206 MPs voted to amend the Federal Constitution.
The Dewan Rakyat has passed a law allowing children born overseas to Malaysian mothers to be granted automatic citizenship, a right that was previously only granted to the children of Malaysian men
According to The Star, the passing of the law comes after more than two-thirds majority voted in support of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024.
A total of 206 MPs voted to amend the Federal Constitution, while one voted against, one did not vote due to suspension, and 14 were absent.
The bill was deferred several times since its first reading in March 2024, before it was finally scheduled for debate and voting in October.
The delay was due to criticism and concerns from several parties regarding other amendments pertaining to citizenship laws in the bill, resulting to it being referred to three separate Parliamentary Special Select Committees for fine-tuning.
Image via Bernama/New Straits Times
However, while the small victory is being celebrated, many organisations championing Malaysian women's rights have pointed out that the amendment does not apply retrospectively to existing court cases
According to Malay Mail, Family Frontiers and the Malaysian Mothers' Network also brought up the other concerning amendments pertaining to citizenship laws that were bundled in the bill.
It said there were three regressive amendments, including the removal of automatic citizenship for children of stateless local-born permanent residence holders, the lowering of the age limit to apply for citizenship from 21 to 18, and the revocation of citizenship for foreign wives if their marriage is dissolved within two years of gaining citizenship.
"It is deeply disappointing that while making strides towards equality, the government has chosen to eliminate a constitutional pathway to citizenship," it said, adding that it will continue to ensure that every child of a Malaysian parent be granted citizenship regardless of their gender, place of birth, or parents' marital status.
Image via Ahmad Zamzahuri/Malay Mail
In 2022, SAYS spoke to half a dozen mothers, who shared how they feel like they have been deserted by the country they love:
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