Kuala Lumpur's trusted voice for news, politics and business.
A recent Court of Appeal decision has left children born in Malaysia to unmarried Malaysian fathers and foreign mothers without citizenship, despite DNA confirmation and lifelong residence here. Rights advocates are calling for constitutional reform.
A High Court has determined that a Pahang-born woman cannot claim automatic Malaysian citizenship, citing her inability to establish that her parents were legally married and her mother's Indonesian nationality.
Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said has reminded PN election director Sanusi Nor that Malaysia's constitution guarantees citizen rights irrespective of ancestry, positioning the nation as a homeland rather than a temporary destination.
Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail stressed that Malaysia's true strength comes from developing knowledgeable, ethical citizens rather than economic metrics alone, highlighting teachers' crucial role in shaping character during a recognition ceremony honouring 746 educators.
Malaysia's Home Ministry disclosed that 3,640 citizenship applications remain pending in Sabah as of May 2024. Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah outlined new measures to accelerate processing and improve transparency in the application system.
Malaysia's National Registration Department has approved 286 of 298 MyKAS applications from the Indian community since 2022, a 96 per cent approval rate. The department is also processing late birth registrations and citizenship applications through streamlined procedures.
The Home Ministry announced a comprehensive review of citizenship naturalisation processes following recommendations from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission, focusing on procedural improvements and governance standards.
Malaysia's anti-corruption watchdog has flagged serious procedural flaws in how seven foreign-born footballers obtained citizenship, demanding a complete overhaul of the naturalisation system and stricter security protocols.
Malaysia's Home Ministry has reiterated that citizenship applications from individuals with documentation challenges, including children born to Malaysian mothers overseas, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis under established constitutional provisions.