NGO calls for amendment to Article 14 to solve unequal citizenship rights issue

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 -- A non-governmental organisation has urged the government to consider amending Article 14 and the related schedule of the Federal Constitution to ensure Malaysian women have equal rights to pass on citizenship to their children born overseas.

The Malaysian Campaign for Equal Citizenship led by the Foreign Spouses Support Group (FSSG) said by doing so, there would be no room for discrimination and ensure that Malaysian women enjoy equal citizenship rights with Malaysian men.

"It also allows them to return home, in some cases from toxic marriages to exercise a choice of living in Malaysia.

"But equally important, it also simply allows the children of Malaysian women to become full- fledged Malaysian citizens without the insecurity of having to leave the country one day," it said in a statement, here, today.

FSSG was referring to the Home Ministry's parliamentary written reply on Oct 9, noting that the ministry was working to improve the standard operating procedure (SOP) of citizenship application for children born overseas to Malaysian women.

While it welcomed the initiative, FSSG said there was a dire need for a permanent solution to the issue.

"Inequality in the citizenship law implicitly endorses the notion of women as inferior and second- class citizens while contributing to women’s unequal status in society. The Malaysian government has an obligation to respect and uphold the rights of women," it added.

-- BERNAMA