Why do authorities claim their hands are tied in stateless citizenship applications?

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Authorities Cite Constitutional and Policy Limitations in Denying Citizenship Applications

Authorities have cited unmet conditions and limitations within the Malaysian Constitution, National Registration Department (NRD) policies, and documentation trails as reasons for denying citizenship applications from individuals born and raised in Malaysia but with foreign parentage. These explanations are presented as the primary barriers to granting citizenship, even in cases where individuals have strong ties to the country, such as having Malaysian fathers and being born locally.
Constitutional and Policy Frameworks Impede Citizenship

The Malaysian Constitution, along with the policies of the National Registration Department (NRD), outlines the criteria for citizenship. For individuals like Velmurugan, female J, and male D, the complexities arise from their parentage. Velmurugan, despite being 38 and having a Malaysian family, faces hurdles due to inconclusive documentation related to his late mother, which consequently impacts his own application. Similarly, female J and male D, both possessing Malaysian fathers confirmed by DNA tests, are denied citizenship because their mothers are foreign nationals from Indonesia and the Philippines, respectively, whose current whereabouts are unknown.
International Confirmations Further Complicate Cases

Adding to the complexity, both Indonesia and the Philippines have officially confirmed that female J and male D are not citizens of their respective nations. This international confirmation underscores the stateless status of these individuals, as they are neither recognised by their mothers' countries of origin nor granted citizenship by Malaysia, despite their birth and upbringing within Malaysian borders. The authorities' stance is that these unmet conditions and documentation gaps prevent them from approving the applications.
A Widespread Issue Affecting Thousands

The plight of Velmurugan, female J, and male D is not an isolated incident but represents a broader challenge faced by thousands of stateless Malaysians. Many individuals born in Malaysia to foreign parents encounter similar difficulties in obtaining citizenship. The consistent response from various government branches, including Members of Parliament, ministers, and the courts, reportedly points to inherent limitations and procedural requirements that cannot be bypassed, effectively leaving these individuals in a state of perpetual statelessness.

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Why do authorities claim their hands are tied in stateless citizenship applications?

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