Malaysian citizenship
KUCHING: The federal government’s decision to appeal the High Court’s ruling on citizenship rights to children born abroad regardless whether the Malaysian parent is the father or mother will only prolong the suffering of those affected.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Women chief Kho Teck Wan pointed out that the move would discriminate against women and put a child’s future in jeopardy.
She also expressed agreement with Johor’s Sultan and many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the government to withdraw the appeal on the matter.
“SUPP through our party’s secretary general Datuk Sebastian Ting has expressed our disappointment and urged the federal government to withdraw the appeal.
“Children do not have a choice as to which country they are born in or what type of parents they will have,” she said.
Kho noted that there were unlucky children who ended up stateless and denied proper education as well as healthcare.
She said this subsequently caused adverse impact to their prospects and potential as an adult with some even becoming a burden to the society.
“Therefore, I would like to concur and reiterate the wishes of SUPP, NGOs and Johor’s Sultan by urging the federal government to drop the appeal on the recent high court ruling,” she exhorted.
