Can women confer citizenship equally to their children born abroad?

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Women Can Confer Citizenship to Children Born Abroad on an Equal Basis as Men

The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled on September 9, 2021, that Malaysian women have the right to confer citizenship to their children born outside of Malaysia on the same terms as Malaysian men. This landmark decision addresses long-standing inequalities faced by Malaysian mothers, who have historically encountered significant difficulties in securing citizenship for their overseas-born children. The ruling acknowledges the considerable hardships these mothers have endured, including unequal access to essential services like healthcare and education for their children, the distress of family separation, and the recurring burden of visa renewals.
High Court Ruling Recognises Maternal Rights

The High Court's judgment on September 9, 2021, established that Malaysian mothers can indeed confer citizenship to their children born abroad equally with Malaysian fathers. This legal precedent signifies a crucial step towards gender parity within Malaysian citizenship laws. The decision directly confronts the decades of struggle faced by many Malaysian mothers who found themselves in a disadvantaged position compared to their male counterparts when seeking to pass on their citizenship.
Addressing Hardships Faced by Mothers

The ruling acknowledges the profound difficulties Malaysian mothers have experienced concerning their children born abroad. These challenges have included unequal access to healthcare and education within Malaysia, leading to potential disadvantages for their children. Furthermore, the situation has often resulted in the painful separation of families and necessitated frequent, costly, and time-consuming visa renewals to ensure children could remain in the country with their mothers.
Government Response and Call for Non-Appeal

The decision has been met with positive reception from key government figures, including De Facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rina binti Mohd Harun, who have lauded the High Court's judgment. In light of this support, a humble request has been made to the government, specifically to Prime Minister Datuk Sri Ismail Sabri Bin Yaakob, urging that the government refrain from appealing the High Court's decision. Such an appeal would allow for the expedited registration of Malaysian identification documents for these children, reinforcing the spirit of "Keluarga Malaysia."

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Can women confer citizenship equally to their children born abroad?

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