MPs present private bill to allow children born abroad to M'sian mothers given citizenship

SHAH ALAM - Several MPs will be submitting a private member's bill to amend the Federal Constitution linked to the citizenship of children born to Malaysian women abroad.

They are Fahmi Fadzil (PKR-Lembah Pantai), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang), Fuziah Salleh (PKR-Kuantan), Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (DAP-Lanang), and Hannah Yeoh (DAP-Segambut).

"The notification was sent to the secretary of the Dewan Rakyat on Sept 15," he told Sinar Harian.

On Monday, it was reported that Parliament members are working to amend the Federal Constitution to allow mothers to grant citizenship to their children regardless of where the children were born.

It can be done by adding the word 'or his mother' to the provision of the matter in the constitution to enable citizenship to be given.

Currently two subclauses under Part II state that a baby born abroad 'to a Malaysian father' can become a citizen.

Last month, Family Frontiers and six Malaysian mothers filed an appeal to the Federal Court to allow Malaysian mothers to be given the same right as Malaysian men.

On Aug 5, in a split decision, the Court of Appeal ruled that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers can be denied citizenship by operation of the law.

Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had said the government will not present a constitutional amendment regarding the matter until the Federal Court makes a decision.