A DAP parliamentarian today lamented how there has been no attempt by the government to review the laws in ensuring that they are non-discriminatory towards women.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said "urgent review" was needed for the provisions on the acquisiton of citizenship.

She pointed out how there was no mention in the constitution about the foreign spouse of a Malaysian woman.

This is in contrast with Article 15(1) which states that any married woman whose husband is a citizen is entitled, upon making application to the government, to be registered as a citizen.

Teo also questioned the ‘discrimination’ against women in terms of applying for citizenship for children born overseas.

The Home Ministry in a parliamentary reply to Teo ( right ) said that mothers have to go through a lengthier process to apply for the citizenship of children born overseas.

“For children born overseas whose mothers are Malaysian citizens, the mother has to apply and go through a process while the father just has to register the child at the high commission,” she said.

Pointing out how the country had ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw) in 1995, Teo said the government was duty-bound to embody the principle of gender equality in the constitution.

“The government must take the appropriate measures to modify or abolish existing laws which consititute discrimination against women.

“It is imperative for the government to amed the provisions mentioned above,” she said.