Sunday, April 11, 2010

Foreign born children of Malaysian women eligible for citizenship


The Home Ministry has formulated a mechanism to enable children born overseas to Malaysian women married to foreigners will be eligible for citizenship, said its minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said for the time being there was no provision in the Federal Constitution for the children to be automatically accorded with Malaysian citizenship.

Currently, only children born overseas to foreign women married to Malaysian men are conferred Malaysian citizenship, he said in a statement today.

He said in an effort to resolve gender discrimination over the issue, the ministry had approved a new rule without the need to amend existing law.

“Among the conditions, both parents must make joint applications by completing the forms provided.

“This is to avoid disputes between parents and dual citizenship of the children as well as to protect the image of the country,” he said, adding that both parents must appear before a consular officer at the office of foreign missions.

Hishammuddin said the application must be made within one year from the birth of the children.

He said after the applications were approved, they must apply in person to the National Registration Department for citizenship certificates and MyKid for the children. — Bernama

1 comment:

Unknown said...

My Mother is Malaysian & My father is an Egyptian, I was born in London, UK 1986, I dont have the British Citizenship, Under these changes in Malaysian Citizenship law, WILL BE able to apply because i am 25 Years Old, and as i can see. its written:

"Both parents will have to appear in person before the consulate officer to make the application and the forms must be submitted within one-year of the child’s birth."

what this means? does this means that I can't apply?