Cover Rekha Sen (Photo: Tian Xing) and Suriani Kempe (Photo: All is Amazing)
Rekha Sen (Photo: Tian Xing) and Suriani Kempe (Photo: All is Amazing)
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The Cabinet will table the proposed amendments in the current Dewan Rakyat sitting
Malaysian mothers who have been fighting for citizenship for their children born overseas woke up to a piece of good news this morning: The Cabinet has agreed to move forward with an amendment to the Federal Constitution to automatically allow such citizenship. It is expected to be tabled in the current Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Rekha Sen was one of these mothers; she has been working hard to get Malaysian citizenships for her two younger children. When she heard the news, she immediately posted on her Instagram, saying: "I cannot express my immense gratitude to the ministers who continue to push for this urgent amendment on our behalf."
Read more: Suriani Kempe on fighting for the citizenship of children born overseas to Malaysian mothers
The Cabinet's decision was announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on February 17, 2023. The proposed amendment will replace the term 'father' with 'at least one of the parents' to allow Malaysian mothers to get their parental rights according to the Constitution. Currently, citizenship is only provided through the fathers.
The ministers added that "this is in line with the unity government's commitment to recognising equality for women and men and removing discrimination against women in Malaysia, and overcoming weaknesses that arise in citizenship provisions."
In September 2021, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers were entitled to be citizens of Malaysia. However, in August 2022, the Court of Appeal overturned the judgement with a 2-1 majority.
When Tatler reached out to Sen, she expressed optimism for the future. "It's my hope that we can sustain this positive momentum until full equality is achieved in Malaysia."
Suriani Kempe, the president of Family Frontiers, has been in the frontline of this fight with Sen. "The announcement is a promise by the government and an acknowledgement that it recognises the struggle that Malaysian mothers and their children face as a result of this inequality to confer citizenship," she said. "And a promise is great but it will only be real once the amendment passes in Parliament by a two thirds majority vote."
Above Suriani Kempe (Photo: All is Amazing)
Suriani Kempe (Photo: All is Amazing)
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Kempe, who is Tatler's Asia's Most Influential 2022 honouree and the recipient of Tatler's Impact Award last year for her human rights advocacy, continued: "When it does pass, it will be a historic landmark for Malaysia. In practical terms, it means that overseas born children of Malaysian mothers will finally have equal access to basic rights like education and healthcare; Malaysian mothers and children will no longer live in fear that they will be forcibly separated.
"Most importantly, this equality extends to all Malaysian women, not a select few but all. It will mark a momentous shift in how the government sees and treats Malaysian women as citizens of equal worth, dignity and rights."
Watch out for our March 2023 cover story in which Kempe and Sen share their journey in this monumental fight for Malaysian women and mothers' rights.
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Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
