What criteria differentiate citizenship for footballers versus local applicants?

Question

Accepted Answer

Citizenship Criteria Differentiate Between Professional Athletes and Local Applicants

The criteria differentiating citizenship for professional footballers versus local applicants appear to be rooted in differing interpretations of legal frameworks and administrative practices, with footballers seemingly granted citizenship with greater ease than individuals with long-standing ties to Malaysia, such as Haritharan Mugunthan. Haritharan, a 24-year-old Perak-born man whose father is Malaysian, contends he should be recognised as a citizen. His situation is contrasted with that of seven heritage football players from the national squad Harimau Malaya, who were recently granted Malaysian citizenship.
Footballers Granted Citizenship with Perceived Ease

Lawyers representing individuals seeking citizenship have highlighted the recent conferment of citizenship upon seven heritage football players. These players, described as "clearly foreign nationals and have no historical ties to Malaysia," were reportedly granted citizenship more readily than individuals like Haritharan, who was born in Malaysia, educated there, and has a Malaysian father. This disparity raises questions about the underlying criteria and processes applied in such cases, suggesting a potentially distinct pathway for individuals deemed to contribute to national sporting achievements.
Local Applicant's Long-Standing Ties and Rejected Applications

Haritharan Mugunthan's case exemplifies the challenges faced by local applicants. Born in April 2001 to a Malaysian father and a Thai mother, he has resided in Malaysia his entire life, completed his education locally, and has never left the country. Despite being issued a Malaysian passport in June 2002, his birth certificate later listed him as a non-citizen. Haritharan has faced significant hurdles, including difficulties in obtaining higher education loans and issues with the police, due to his citizenship status. He has also had his citizenship applications rejected in 2009, 2013, and 2017, underscoring a protracted and unsuccessful battle for recognition.
Legal Arguments and Government Stance on Passport Validity

The government's representatives have argued that a Malaysian passport does not definitively prove citizenship, particularly in Haritharan's case. They contend that his passport was issued during a period when the Immigration Department's system was not fully integrated with the National Registration Department's (NRD), and suggest that Haritharan might possess Thai citizenship by virtue of his mother's nationality. This stance positions the passport as an administrative document rather than conclusive evidence of citizenship, contrasting with the apparent acceptance of such documentation in other contexts.
Precedent of Similar Cases and Ongoing Appeals

The case of Klang-born Nalvin Dhillon, who successfully obtained his Malaysian citizenship and MyKad, has been cited as a precedent with similar circumstances to Haritharan's. Dhillon, also born out of wedlock to a Malaysian father and a non-Malaysian mother, had a Malaysian passport before discovering his NRD record indicated non-Malaysian status. The argument is made that if Dhillon's case was resolved favourably without government appeal, Haritharan's should receive similar treatment. Separately, three other cases involving children born out of wedlock to Malaysian fathers and non-Malaysian mothers are also before the courts, with the government maintaining that such children should follow their non-Malaysian mother's nationality. The Court of Appeal has scheduled January 26 for case management to set a decision date for these matters.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What criteria differentiate citizenship for footballers versus local applicants?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

2

0

0

Share with friends