Abim Disappointed With Govt Treating Women As Second Class Citizens

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A Muslim NGO has expressed disappointment with the government's failure to uphold and protect the rights and dignity of its female citizens as equal to men.
The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) said the government has instead chosen to treat women as second-class citizens by denying them the right to grant citizenship to their children.
They urged the government to withdraw its appeal on the issue of granting Malaysian citizenship to children born abroad to Malaysian mothers.
"Women make up half the population, and it is only fair that they are given their rights," said Abim vice-presidents Fatin Nur Majdina Nordin and Adli Zakuan Zairakithnaini in a joint statement.
"The right to citizenship is the gateway to the right to education, health services, and all other rights necessary for a dignified life in one’s homeland.
"These issues do not involve security or threats to the country but have a major impact on the well-being of families, as well as access to health services and education," the duo stressed.
The matter will be heard at the Court of Appeal in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, following the Kuala Lumpur High Court's declaration on Sept 9 last year that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers and foreign fathers are automatically entitled to Malaysian citizenship.
‘All are equal before the law’
In November last year, the government failed to get the Kuala Lumpur High Court to stay its ruling that Malaysian mothers have the right to confer citizenship to overseas-born children.
It has been reported that Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin had claimed that the government’s appeal is meant to buy time while they look into amending the constitution to make it easier for Malaysian mothers married to foreigners to give birth overseas.
Fatin pointed out that Article 8 of the Federal Constitution stated that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.
"Therefore, it is not appropriate for Malaysian mothers to experience various difficulties and be denied the rights of their children born abroad just because they are women," said Fatin, who is also part of the Women, Family, and Community Agenda.
"The decision of the High Court in September last year should be accepted and implemented as best as possible.
"These issues affect children's self-confidence, as well as determine children's opportunities to get a good education and health services for a better future," she added.
Adli said it is not too late for the government to do the right thing and withdraw their appeal before the case is heard tomorrow in the Court of Appeal.
"The slogan 'Keluarga Malaysia' does not mean anything if we do not stand up for all of our citizens, regardless of gender," added Adli, who represents the Agenda for Human Rights, Civil Society and National Affairs.
"At the same time, Abim invites the public to perform a solat hajat tonight after Isya' prayers to pray for justice for the affected mothers and their children," the duo said.
‘Saya Juga Anak Malaysia’
Last Sunday, a short film 'Saya Juga Anak Malaysia' featuring the challenges faced by mothers who cannot pass on their citizenship to their children was launched at PJ Live Arts, Jaya One.
The film featured a Malaysian mother, Puan Aini, who decried her biggest challenge was to raise two children who each had two different nationalities and special needs.
“The welfare of my non-citizen child is problematic because my second child is not a Malaysian and does not have an OKU card, unlike my first child who is a Malaysian and has an OKU card, which is important for school admission and for health and medical matters.
"Even though they are siblings, I face many challenges for my non-citizen son with special needs. I am very worried because health insurance is one of the conditions to get a student pass for him to study in government or private schools," Puan Aini was heard saying in the documentary. - Mkini

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