KUCHING: Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has welcomed the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s landmark decision declaring that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers who are married to foreigners are entitled by operation of law to be citizens of Malaysia.
The Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister said she also felt the pain and stress felt by mothers for their children as well as the children themselves due to the long period of time taken to obtain citizenship.
“During the waiting period, various difficulties are experienced by the applicant in gaining access to education and health, to name a few, which can be enjoyed by children of Malaysian citizens.
“If they manage to gain access, they have to pay fees charged for non-citizens,” she said on Friday (Sept 10).
She pointed out that this certainly had an impact on the wellbeing and future of the children due to there being no opportunities or missed opportunities.
“How heartbroken is the mother, a Malaysian citizen, who gave birth to her child when this child is being deprived of opportunities and facilities enjoyed by other Malaysian children,” lamented Fatimah.
Kuala Lumpur High Court judge had on Thursday ruled that Malaysian mothers married to foreigners can pass on the citizenship to their children born overseas.
The judge had also made an order that all the authorities must issue relevant documents, such as identity cards, to these children.
