Citizenship of children born abroad being addressed: PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave an assurance to concerned parents that the rights of children born abroad are being addressed by the government.

He said the Cabinet has agreed to bring to Parliament this month an amendment to Article 14(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution relating to the citizenship rights of children born abroad.

“Please follow (the) developments at home. Your question has been overtaken by events. The Cabinet has agreed to bring this to Parliament this month,” he said, when answering a question at a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora here yesterday.

He added that the amendment to the Constitution would bring an end to the issue.

“Currently, ‘parent’ means father. We are going to amend it so that parent means ‘father and mother’,” said Anwar, who is in Germany on a six-day official visit.

He said the amendment aims to replace the word “father” to “parents” or “mother” or “father”.

On concerns raised by a Global Bersih representative that many Malaysians abroad had difficulties voting in the past two general elections, Anwar said he has directed the Election Commission (EC) to look into the matter.

“We need to simplify it, including voting directly, for instance, more voting centres. We have Malaysian Investment Development Authority and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation offices.”

He said the EC should also look into making automatic voter registrations applicable to Malaysians abroad, similar to the practice at home.

Anwar also said students graduating from Germany are highly sought after at home as German companies operating in Malaysia usually look for them. – Bernama