KUALA LUMPUR: The use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test results cannot be used as conclusive evidence to grant Malaysian citizenship, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In a parliamentary written reply, the Home Minister said that the results of a DNA test can only be used as supporting evidence to confirm a blood relationship between an individual and other family members, particularly between children, parents or siblings.
"This is because every applicant still needs to comply with all other relevant laws, especially those related to marriage registration," he said in reply to a question from Vivian Wong (PH-Sandakan).
Wong had asked whether the Home Ministry will consider the results of DNA tests as a conclusive or official way to address issues related to the late registration of identity cards and citizenship applications under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution.
Saifuddin said an individual's citizenship is determined by the marriage registration and citizenship status of a couple during the child's birth in accordance with the Federal Constitution, including related laws and Immigration regulations.
"All marriages in this country must be registered under the existing effective laws. For example, non-Muslim marriages need to be registered under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.
"For births that occurred before the registration of the parents' marriage in accordance with the country's laws, the citizenship status of the child follows the citizenship status of the mother in line with the provisions of the law under Section 17, Part III, Second Schedule of the Constitution," he said.
