COMMENT | Concerns over regressive amendments

COMMENT | Global Bersih applauds the historic passage of the constitutional amendment granting Malaysian women the equal right to confer automatic citizenship on their overseas-born children.

This landmark decision represents a significant step forward in gender equality, addressing a long-standing injustice that has caused emotional and bureaucratic hardships for many Malaysian mothers.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the government, members of the Dewan Rakyat, and advocacy groups who have tirelessly supported this cause.

Special recognition goes to Family Frontiers, the Malaysian Mothers' Network, and other civil society organisations whose unwavering commitment has been instrumental in achieving this milestone - also, a heartfelt thank you to all the Malaysian mothers worldwide who kept the passion burning.

While we celebrate this progress, Global Bersih acknowledges the amendment's non-retroactive nature, which continues to exclude children born before the law's implementation.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | How could constitutional changes make more people stateless?

We urge the government to take further measures to ensure that all children of Malaysian mothers receive equal treatment under the law and that no family is left behind.

We are also deeply concerned about the regressive amendments bundled with this progressive change.

These amendments include the removal of automatic citizenship for children of stateless local-born permanent residence holders, the reduction in the age limit for citizenship applications from 21 to 18, and the revocation of citizenship for foreign wives if their marriage dissolves within two years of gaining citizenship.

These provisions risk deepening the challenges already vulnerable groups face, and we call on the government to reconsider their inclusion.

No compromise

As the Malaysian Citizenship Rights Alliance (MCRA) rightly highlights, the rights of stateless children should not be compromised in the pursuit of equality for mothers.

The government must ensure that solutions are in place to prevent further statelessness, particularly for vulnerable groups like local-born permanent residents, many of whom have strong ties to Malaysia but will no longer qualify for automatic citizenship.

It is critical that these issues are addressed comprehensively, and Parliamentary oversight through the Parliamentary Select Committee is essential to ensure accountability and protect the rights of all children.

Global Bersih remains committed to advocating for inclusive and comprehensive policies that protect the rights of all Malaysians, regardless of gender, marital status, or place of birth. This amendment marks a crucial step forward, but the work is ongoing.

We stand in solidarity with all those still affected by citizenship issues and pledge to continue supporting efforts for a more just and equitable Malaysia.

Together, we move forward in pursuing equality and justice for all.

GLOBAL BERSIH is an international non-partisan movement of overseas Malaysians focusing on electoral reform to advocate for the rights of the Malaysian diaspora.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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