PBK fears children born overseas lose right to be M’sian citizens if clause 12(1) amended
KUCHING: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) is deeply concerned over the proposed constitutional amendment to clause 12(1) of the citizenship law currently under discussion in parliament, said its president Voon Lee Shan.
According to him, the proposed amendment, if passed, would significantly impact children born to Malaysian mothers abroad, potentially denying them the right to Malaysian citizenship.
Hence, he said there is a need for a retrospective effect to be included in the clause, which is currently absent from the bill.
“Under the existing provisions of clause 12(1), children born to Malaysian mothers overseas would still be required to apply for citizenship through registration, subject to the discretion of the home minister.
“This lack of retrospective effect fails to address the plight of existing children who are stateless due to their inability to obtain Malaysian citizenship,” he pointed out in a statement yesterday.
Voon also highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that many mothers have already raised concerns about their children’s stateless status despite being born abroad.
He said that the current legislative framework, as it stands, only serves to exacerbate the challenges faced by Malaysian citizens seeking better opportunities overseas, leading to complications in marriages and the citizenship status of their children.
“We thus urge lawmakers to reconsider the proposed amendment and ensure that it adequately addresses the rights of children born to Malaysian mothers abroad.
“Failure to do so could perpetuate statelessness among this vulnerable group and undermine the principles of fairness and equality enshrined in Malaysia’s constitution,” he said.