NGO lauds govt plans to amend Constitution regarding kids born overseas to M'sian mothers

IPOH: The move by the Government to allow children born overseas to Malaysian mothers to be given automatic citizenship is a significant step in recognising their rights, says Suriani Kempe.

The Association of Family Support & Welfare Selangor & Kuala Lumpur (Family Frontiers) president said they were happy with the move as it would resolve the long-standing issue faced by Malaysian women and their children.

"This is a significant step to recognise the rights of Malaysian women and their children who were born abroad that had faced challenges and discrimination previously.

"It is joyous to see that the government is committed to take this important step to settle this long-standing issue," she said on Family Frontiers's Facebook page.

"The Cabinet's consideration to give Malaysian women the rights to pass down their citizenship to their children that are born abroad is a huge relief to all affected families globally.

"Family Frontiers would like to thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, allies and supporters, including women's group, civic society organisation and Members of Parliament from all parties, who had voiced up for Malaysian mothers and their children," she added.

In a joint statement made on Friday (Feb 17), Saifuddin and Azalina said the Cabinet had agreed with the proposal to amend the Federal Constitution to enable children born abroad to Malaysian mothers to gain automatic Malaysian citizenship.

The amendments to Section 1(1)(d) and Section 1(1)(e) of Part I in the Second Schedule, and Section 1(b) and Section 1(c) in Part II of the same Schedule are expected to be tabled in the current Dewan Rakyat meeting.

Suriani said they were now anxiously waiting for the amendment to be tabled at Parliament.

"We can only breathe a sigh of relief when the amendment has been approved because only after this, mothers (of those affected) can submit their children's documents to the National Registration Department to receive their citizenship.

"We also urge all stakeholders to cooperate to ensure that this amendment can be implemented swiftly and effectively," she said.

"I believe that we are on the right track," she added.