KOTA KINABALU: The citizenship amendment passed by Parliament puts Malaysia on the right direction towards gender equality, says Upko wanita chief Mohina Ronnie Sidom (pic).
She said the passing of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 last week that gave the right to citizenship to children born overseas to Malaysian mothers was long overdue and seen as a correction to the inequality.
"This is a progressive move that has corrected a long-standing inequality, where previously only Malaysian fathers were given this recognition. It is a decision that should have been made long ago.
"This amendment addresses a glaring oversight or a loophole in our legal system—a law that has, at its core, been inherently sexist, discriminatory, and unjust," she said in a statement here Sunday (Oct 20).
She said by recognising both parents had the right to pass on their Malaysian citizenship to their children, the amendment places women on an equal footing with men in the eyes of the Constitution, paving the way towards greater gender equality.
"We believe this legislative change not only rectifies an outdated patriarchal bias, but also aligns our laws with the principles of justice and fairness that Malaysia must uphold.
"We hope that this amendment will help in finding a solution to all the pending applications but also to correct the injustice done to these children and their Malaysian mothers," Mohina said.
