DAP moots constitution change to allow women to confer citizenship
DAP today proposed that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob table a motion to amend the Federal Constitution to give Malaysian women the same right as men when it comes to passing citizenship to their offspring.
This comes after the Court of Appeal earlier today overturned an earlier decision by a lower court that allowed Malaysian women married to foreign men to pass citizenship to their children born overseas.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke in a statement said...
DAP today proposed that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob table a motion to amend the Federal Constitution to give Malaysian women the same right as men when it comes to passing citizenship to their offspring.
This comes after the Court of Appeal earlier today overturned an earlier decision by a lower court that allowed Malaysian women married to foreign men to pass citizenship to their children born overseas.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke in a statement said denying women from automatically passing Malaysian citizenship to their children is an injustice.
“This makes it look like a mother has fewer rights compared to a father. It goes against the principle of gender equality as enshrined in international laws and the Federal Constitution.
“Every child is brought into this world by their mother. Such injustice will bring negative effects to the family institution,” he said.
Loke added that the court decision today would make it even harder for thousands of children whose applications to become Malaysian citizens have been denied for many years.
He said many of the children were even left stateless while others had to take up foreign citizenship.
“To address this injustice, I propose that the Federal Constitution to be further strengthened by making the necessary amendments so that the same right would be given to Malaysian mothers, thus protecting the welfare of their children.
“Thus, DAP calls on Prime Minister Ismail Sabri to table a motion to amend the Federal Constitution in the next Parliament session to bring justice to women.”
Loke added that all 42 DAP MPs will support the motion and believes that its allies in Pakatan Harapan would also do the same.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.