Unequal citizenship rights decision is not a political matter, says Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR – Unequal citizenship rights decision is not a political matter, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

When asked to comment on the issue of children born abroad to a Malaysian mother married to a non-Malaysian father were not entitled to Malaysian citizenship, Ismail Sabri said the matter was under the jurisdiction of the law and it was unfair for him to comment.

He however said that the court’s decision was not a political matter.

“The court has given their decision and the parties have appealed. We can only wait for the decision of the appeal.

“It is unfair for me as the Prime Minister to give a personal opinion as it will interfere and influence the decision of the court,” he said.

When asked why Malaysia had implemented such laws, he said it was hard to explain why because law implementations were done based on the Constitution that was determined many years ago.

On Aug 5, the Court of Appeal in a 2-1 majority decision ruled that children born abroad to Malaysian mothers married to foreigners are not legally entitled to Malaysian citizenship.

Since then, various parties, politicians and non-governmental organisations alike had urged for the amendment of the Federal Constitution so the rights of children born abroad to Malaysian mothers are safeguarded equally just like children born abroad to Malaysian fathers.

Article 14(1)(b) of Malaysia’s constitution gives fathers the automatic right to confer citizenship on their children born abroad – but omits any mention of mothers.

However, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said some pros and cons needed to be considered to amend the constitution when it comes to citizenship issue, and that it involved many stakeholders which went beyond the government as it involved the Conference of Rulers.