UPKO Women leader supports Bill

19 October 2024
As the Head of the Women’s Division of UPKO Malaysia, I wholeheartedly commend and welcome the passing of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Dewan Rakyat recently. The passing of this 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.
This amendment addresses a glaring oversight or a loophole in our 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We believe this legislative change not only rectifies an outdated patriarchal bias, but also aligns our laws with the principles of justice and fairness that Malaysia must uphold.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 to find a solution to all the pending applications and also to correct the injustice done to these children and their Malaysian mothers.
While this change is long overdue, we are optimistic that Malaysia is now moving in the right direction on the path toward gender equality.
United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation
(UPKO) Malaysia Women Chief
Mohina Sidom
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