On 23 March 2022, the Court of Appeal heard the Government’s appeal against the High Court decision issued on 9 September 2021 that granted Malaysian women equal rights to confer citizenship on their overseas-born children. The decision of the hearing will be announced on 22 June 2022. For more information, read here.

In the meantime, as the Court of Appeal on 22 Dec 2021 had dismissed the Government’s stay of execution application against the KL High Court decision, the Government must uphold the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision and issue citizenship-related documents to overseas-born children of Malaysian women. To date, only three of the Plaintiffs received their documents; the other three Plaintiffs and other impacted mothers are yet to receive theirs. 

As long as the Government defends the status quo, the concept of #KeluargaMalaysia rings hollow. Thousands of Malaysian women endure a lifetime of uncertainty and increased vulnerability to violence and abuse. They also live in constant fear and anxiety of being separated from their children. Meanwhile, children of Malaysian women continue to be denied equal access to affordable healthcare, education, and the right to remain in the country with their family. They need their citizenship documentation now, and they are asking, #ManaDokumenKami?

We urge the Government to issue citizenship-related documents to these children without delay. To continue to support Malaysian mothers’ initiative for equal rights, you can contribute financially to bit.ly/DonateToFF.