688 citizenship applications for children born overseas - Home Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR - The Home Ministry has received a total of 688 citizenship applications for children born overseas by Malaysian mothers.

Its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the total was from the overall 150,000 citizenship applications received.

He explained the total included stateless children's cases.

"We are confident there are those out there who have yet to apply. This matter (application) followed Article 15 (2) citizenship application for children born overseas with Malaysian mothers. Overall, we have received 150,000 applications with the highest category involving those without citizenship or born out of wedlock.

"When the Federal Constitution was written in the 1950s, it is unimaginable how many cases of women who traveled to meet their soul mates, for studies and building careers abroad," he said in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

He was answering Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi's (PN-Tumpat) additional question on the applications received involving mothers who applied for their children's citizenship.

Sinar on Feb 17 reported the government agreed to provide automatic citizenship through the law for children born overseas by a Malaysian mother who married a foreign spouses.

The decision was made during the Cabinet meeting after examining and agreeing with the suggestion of the amendment towards the Federal Constitution for Part I Section 1(1)(d) and Section 1(1)(e) and part II Section 1(b) and Section 1(c) of the Second Schedule.

Saifuddin said the ministry is placing a target of 948 citizenship applications in Sarawak to be solved in June.

He explained it primarily involved the community living in rural areas and on the borders through the establishment of special forces.

He added the government is expected to table the development regarding the Federal Constitution amendment in September.

"The decision was made in line with the government on Feb 17, the Technical and Cabinet Committees established to have a discussion on this we expect would require six months.

"It meant in September we will be able to table it from the Technical Committee to the Cabinet Committee before the Cabinet.

"If all goes smoothly it will be tabled to the Council of Rulers as the Federal Constitution amendment regarding citizens must be agreed by them. I'm optimistic that this will go according to schedule," he said.