Why are children with Malaysian fathers denied citizenship despite DNA proof?

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Children with Malaysian Fathers Denied Citizenship Despite DNA Proof Due to Documentation and Constitutional Limitations

Children born in Malaysia to Malaysian fathers can be denied citizenship despite DNA proof of paternity if their mothers are foreign nationals and their documentation status, or that of their parents, does not meet the stringent requirements set by the National Registration Department (NRD) and the Malaysian Constitution. In such cases, officials often state that conditions are not met and their hands are tied, leaving individuals in a prolonged state of statelessness. This situation affects thousands of individuals in Malaysia who were born and raised in the country but lack a clear path to citizenship.
Inconclusive Parental Documentation Hinders Citizenship Claims

The case of Velmurugan, a 38-year-old individual, highlights how inconclusive documentation of a parent can directly impact a child's citizenship status. Despite his extended family holding Malaysian identity cards (MyKad) and his wife and children being Malaysian citizens, Velmurugan himself lacks a MyKad. This is attributed to his late mother's documentation being deemed inconclusive, which in turn casts doubt on his own eligibility for citizenship. This lack of definitive parental records creates a significant hurdle in the citizenship application process, even for individuals with strong ties to the country.
Foreign Mothers and Unknown Whereabouts Complicate Cases

For individuals like female J, aged 30, and male D, aged 28, the citizenship denial stems from having Malaysian fathers but foreign mothers whose whereabouts are unknown. While DNA tests have conclusively proven their paternity, their Indonesian and Filipino mothers' unknown status, coupled with confirmations from Indonesia and the Philippines that J and D are not citizens of those nations, creates a complex legal impasse. The NRD and constitutional provisions are cited as reasons for this denial, as the conditions for granting citizenship are not fulfilled under these specific circumstances.
Legal and Diplomatic Avenues Remain Limited

When individuals like J and D are denied citizenship by their mothers' countries of origin, their recourse becomes severely limited. The Malaysian authorities, citing constitutional and departmental policies, maintain that their hands are tied, suggesting that the existing legal framework does not provide a clear pathway for granting citizenship in these specific scenarios. This lack of clear avenues leaves these individuals in a precarious position, unable to claim citizenship from any nation despite their birth and upbringing within Malaysia.

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Why are children with Malaysian fathers denied citizenship despite DNA proof?

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