Top students plead to home minister to resolve citizenship woes

Summary

• Three high-achieving students are appealing to the home minister to resolve their citizenship issues.

• The ambiguity of their citizenship status will affect their university applications, driving licence applications, the opening of bank accounts, and etc.

• Virman, despite academic success, has been rejected for citizenship three times, while Keshwin and Mathish, adopted as infants by Malaysian citizens, had their MyKad applications rejected and citizenship revoked.

Three high-performing students have made an emotional appeal to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to resolve their long-standing citizenship issues so that their future can be safeguarded.

At a press conference organised by Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) today, 26-year-old Virman Juri, a scholarship recipient who holds two degrees, said he is still fighting for recognition as a Malaysian citizen despite his academic achievements.

“I was born here, and I want to serve this country,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Keshwin Iswar Satkunavel, 19, who obtained 4As in the STPM, and Mathish, 17, who scored 10As in the SPM, said they were devastated after having their citizenship revoked - a move that has affected their chances of entering public universities.

“I don’t want to be a burden to anyone. Right now, it’s not so bad. But in the future, I don’t want to burden my parents,” said Keshwin.

According to LFL adviser Latheefa Koya, both teenagers were adopted by Malaysian citizens as infants and were issued MyKid identification.

However, when they applied for MyKad - the identification card for Malaysian citizens - their applications were delayed and subsequently rejected by the National Registration Department (NRD).

“Worse still, the NRD revoked their citizenship. Now, both of them are not accepted into public universities and have been denied their rights,” Latheefa told reporters at the LFL office in Petaling Jaya.

She said both students now face serious limitations, including being unable to obtain driving licences or open bank accounts.

“Just imagine the situation these bright students are in,” she added.

‘Why punish the innocent?’

Commenting on Virman’s case, Latheefa said he was born in Ampang, Selangor, but only holds a birth certificate issued to non-citizens.

“He was adopted by a legal practitioner who is a permanent resident. His biological mother is an Indonesian citizen. His applications for citizenship have been rejected three times, the most recent in February.

“I’m not sure what this government is thinking. Why not give these three bright students the opportunity to contribute to this country? Why is the government still sticking to a policy that punishes these innocent young people?” she asked.

Virman, who expressed interest in pursuing cancer research, said his lack of citizenship remains a major hurdle despite his qualifications.

Mathish, who aspires to study artificial intelligence, and Keshwin, who plans to major in finance, also shared similar frustrations.

Last October, Saifuddin pledged a one-year timeline to decide on all pending citizenship applications, with priorities given to adopted children and those born here before independence.

Latheefa told Malaysiakini that both Keshwin and Mathish had submitted their citizenship applications this year following the conclusions of separate legal challenges, but Virman's application under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution would be included in the long list of pending applications.

Article 15A provides for the federal government’s special powers to register anyone below the age of 21 as a citizen in “special circumstances as it thinks fit”.

Meanwhile, LFL director Zaid Malek, who was also present, criticised the government for what he described as its failure to act on the matter.

“The government has made many promises. But until now, nothing has been done,” said Zaid.

Keshwin’s parents were also at the press conference.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Home Ministry for a response.

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