Only 21 of 2,352 applications for child citizenships approved in 2018-21
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THE National Registration Department has approved 21 out of 2,352 applications for child citizenships from Malaysian mothers between 2018 and October 11, 2021, the Home Ministry said.
In a written reply to Parliament yesterday, the ministry also said 31 applications were rejected.
The ministry, however, did not explain what has happened to the other 2,300 applications nor provide any status updates on the applications.
It also did not explain the reasons for the rejections.
The ministry was responding to Ramkarpal Singh’s (Bukit Gelugor-PH) question on the number of child citizenship applications by Malaysian mothers and the number of approved.
The Home Ministry and the National Registration Department is currently embroiled in a controversy pertaining to automatic citizenship to children born overseas to Malaysian mothers with foreign spouses.
Although the court had ruled in favour of Malaysian mothers, the government is currently appealing the decision despite fierce criticisms from the public and other lawmakers.
According to Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin, the government is appealing against the decision to obtain more time before amending the Federal Constitution to allow overseas-born children of Malaysian mothers and foreign fathers to obtain automatic citizenship. – October 27, 2021.