Earlier this year, Malaysia's Cabinet took a significant step by agreeing to amend the Federal Constitution, aiming to grant automatic citizenship to children born overseas to Malaysian mothers married to foreigners. However, this announcement does not mark the finalisation of the process. There are still multiple stages that must be completed before Malaysian mothers can confer citizenship to their overseas-born children. 

The proposed constitutional amendment is scheduled to be tabled in September, leaving impacted mothers anxiously hoping for recognition as equal citizens and for their children to bear the Malaysian nationality, just like them. 

In this episode, we explore the broader context of citizenship rights in Malaysia, shed light on the struggles faced by the mothers, and examine the significance of achieving equality in conferring citizenship to all Malaysians, regardless of their place of birth.

(Featuring guest speakers: Shamila Unnikrishnan, a Malaysian mother who has had to fight for her equal right to confer citizenship to her children born abroad and Sarah Czarina Mashanis, Programme Coordinator from Family Frontiers) 

*NOTE: Views presented by the speakers are their own personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of KRYSS Network, or the organizations or institutions they are affiliated with.