What are the specific concerns of Family Frontiers regarding the amendment?

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Family Frontiers Expresses Anguish Over Non-Retroactive Citizenship Amendment

Advocacy group Family Frontiers and its Malaysian Mothers' Network have voiced significant concern and anguish regarding the Malaysian government's Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024, stating that its non-retroactive nature fails to address the plight of existing overseas-born children of Malaysian mothers. The Bill, tabled recently, proposes to grant Malaysian citizenship to children born overseas to Malaysian mothers, but this provision will only apply to births occurring after the amendment comes into effect, leaving countless cases unresolved and perpetuating existing inequalities.
Existing Cases Left Unaddressed by Amendment

Clause 12(1) of the Bill explicitly states that citizenship status for births prior to the amendments will be handled as if the Federal Constitution had not been altered. This means that children already born overseas to Malaysian mothers before the law is enacted will not receive automatic citizenship. Instead, they will continue to be subject to the requirements of Article 15(2) of the Federal Constitution, which necessitates an application process that can be lengthy and may result in rejection.
Disproportionate Impact on Widowed and Divorced Mothers

The non-retroactive clause is expected to disproportionately affect Malaysian mothers who are widowed or divorced and currently residing overseas. Many of these women wish to return to Malaysia permanently with their children, but the current amendment does not provide a clear pathway for their children to gain citizenship, creating uncertainty and distress for their plans to resettle.
Deprivation of Rights for Adult Children

Furthermore, the amendment's lack of retroactivity significantly impacts children of Malaysian mothers who have already reached the age of 18. These adult children are now deprived of the opportunity to apply for citizenship under Article 15(2), as the Bill's proposed reduction of the age limit for such applications is from 21 to 18. This exclusion severely limits their future opportunities and fundamental rights as children of Malaysian citizens.
Call for Comprehensive and Rectifying Legislation

Family Frontiers is urging the Malaysian government to revise the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 to ensure that existing cases of overseas-born children to Malaysian mothers are also granted automatic Malaysian citizenship. The group asserts that for the amendment to be meaningful and to rectify decades of injustice, it must be comprehensive and inclusive, addressing the grievances of all affected families and restoring faith in the government's commitments.

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What are the specific concerns of Family Frontiers regarding the amendment?

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