KOTA KINABALU: The Women’s Division of UPKO Malaysia welcomed the passing of the Constitution Amendment Bill 2024 by the Dewan Rakyat recently.
Head of the Women’s Division of UPKO Malaysia, Mohina Binti Sidom, said the bill has rightfully recognised the right of children born overseas to a Malaysian mother to be granted citizenship.
“This progressive move has corrected a long-standing inequality, where previously only Malaysian fathers were given this recognition. It is a decision that should have been made long ago,” he said in a statement today.
Mahina said the amendment addresses a glaring oversight or a loophole in the country’s legal system—a law that has, at its core, been inherently sexist, discriminatory, and unjust.
“By recognising both parents the rights to pass on their Malaysian citizenship to their children, the amendment brings women to an equal standing with men in the eyes of the Constitution, paving the way towards greater gender equality.
“We believe this legislative change not only rectifies an outdated patriarchal bias but also aligns our laws with the principles of justice and fairness that Malaysia must uphold.
“We hope that this amendment will help in finding a solution to all the pending applications but also to correct the injustice done to these children and their Malaysian mothers,” she added.
She stressed that while this change is long overdue, UPKO is optimistic that Malaysia is now moving in the right direction on the path toward gender equality.
