PETALING JAYA: The burden has finally been lifted, say Malaysian mothers, as their children born overseas to foreign fathers are now recognised as Malaysian citizens.
Malaysian mothers, who fought a legal battle against the government for citizenship for their overseas-born children, celebrate the landmark settlement granting their children citizenship.
Adlyn Adam Teoh, an affected mother, plaintiff, and president of Family Frontiers, said this was never just a legal battle.
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"It was a battle of love, of dignity, of the fundamental truth that a mother should not have to fight to belong in her own country with her own child.
"Like many other Malaysian mothers, I endured endless uncertainty, wondering if my son would ever be fully accepted in the land I call home. I carried the weight of bureaucracy, legal hurdles, and the heartbreak of being told my child was 'less Malaysian' because of the circumstances of his birth.
"But today, we celebrate. We celebrate for every Malaysian mother and every child who will not have to endure what we did," said Teoh.
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Christine al-Jammal expressed gratitude for the resolution allowing all overseas-born children of Malaysian mothers to become Malaysian citizens after a long wait.
"I will no longer see my son being ‘othered’ and treated differently from his sister because of his citizenship.
"He will be able to enter government schools like his friends, and I will no longer worry about the possibility of him being separated from our family when he grows up," said Christine.
As the settlement does not cover adult children born overseas who are over 18, Daniel Bogers said that he hopes the authorities will consider those left behind.
"While we celebrate this monumental progress, we must remain mindful of those left behind, particularly adult children over 18, who are no longer eligible under Article 15(2).
"It is saddening that this settlement will not cover adult children over 18, including me.
"Since I was young, my non-citizen status has prevented me from attending government schools. I had to forgo many opportunities in entertainment and sports. I received several offers to pursue a career in various industries, but because I do not have a Malaysian identity card, I had to give them up.
"I long for the day when I will hear our Negaraku proudly as a Malaysian, not just by blood, heart, and soul, but also by the identity I hold in my wallet.
"I am glad to know that my future children and the generation after mine will grow up in a Malaysia where a mother and a father have equal rights, and I thank our MPs, the government, Family Frontiers, all those who supported the case and all those involved for this change. Terima kasih Malaysia," said Bogers, born overseas to a Malaysian mother and raised in Malaysia.
Family Frontiers, which led the mothers in the court case against the government, remains committed to working closely with the government to ensure no adult child of a Malaysian mother is left behind, including those whose mothers have passed away.
"We strongly urge the government to ensure the implementation of the Constitution Amendment (2024) without further delay.
"Until then, Malaysian mothers living abroad will continue to face the burdensome and costly journey of returning to Malaysia to secure citizenship for their overseas-born children.
"It is time to ease their hardship and uphold the principles of equality and fairness for all Malaysian families.
"The Constitutional (Amendment) Act 2024 gives Malaysian women the overdue right to pass on citizenship to their overseas-born children, just as Malaysian men can. We also sincerely appeal to the Home Ministry to honour its commitment to expedite pending citizenship applications, bringing much-needed relief to families who have waited far too long.
"This victory is a powerful celebration of unity, perseverance, and the unwavering hope for a Malaysia where equality and justice thrive for all. The world is watching, and this landmark case offers a beacon of hope to women and children in countries yet to reform unequal citizenship laws.
"When mothers win, families thrive, and the country prospers," said Family Frontiers in a statement on Monday (March 10).
