Will proposed laws trap wives in abusive marriages?

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Proposed Citizenship Amendments Could Increase Vulnerability of Foreign Spouses to Abuse

New proposed amendments to Malaysia's Federal Constitution concerning citizenship could inadvertently trap foreign wives married to Malaysian men in abusive situations, according to advocacy group Family Frontiers. A specific clause suggests revoking a wife's Malaysian citizenship if her marriage to her Malaysian husband dissolves within two years of her obtaining citizenship, a provision that could compel women to endure abuse to avoid statelessness.
Risk of Statelessness and Enduring Abuse

The core concern raised by Family Frontiers is that a proposed clause to the Federal Constitution, intended to address 'marriages of convenience', could make non-Malaysian wives "extremely vulnerable to potential violence and abuse." If a marriage ends within two years of a foreign spouse acquiring Malaysian citizenship, that citizenship could be revoked. This creates a situation where a woman might feel compelled to remain in an abusive marriage to avoid losing her citizenship and becoming stateless, a significant risk given Malaysia's non-recognition of dual citizenship.
Current Citizenship Application Process and Barriers

Under the current Article 15(1) of the Federal Constitution, women married to Malaysian men can apply for Malaysian citizenship if they meet residency and permanent intent requirements. However, Family Frontiers highlights that non-Malaysian wives face considerable hurdles in obtaining permanent resident (PR) status, which in turn impedes their citizenship applications under Article 15(1). This lack of PR status can delay or prevent the citizenship application process, adding another layer of complexity for foreign spouses.
Calls for Non-Discriminatory and Protective Provisions

Family Frontiers advocates for a citizenship law that is non-discriminatory between Malaysian men and women in conferring citizenship to their spouses. The group stresses that once citizenship is granted, it should not be easily revoked solely due to the dissolution of a marriage, without a broader consideration of other factors. They argue that while preventing abuse of the marriage institution for citizenship is important, protecting spouses who have acquired citizenship through marriage from becoming vulnerable and stateless is equally vital.

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Will proposed laws trap wives in abusive marriages?

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