THE cabinet has decided that Attorney-General Idrus Harun will advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the issue of the citizenship of children born overseas to a Malaysian mother and a foreign father.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said according to the Federal Constitution, the issue of citizenship involves the consent of the Conference of Rulers.

“The cabinet empathies with the situation, and we have discussed the issue at length. But… the issue is under the purview of the Conference of Rulers, and we have to abide by the correct channel.

“That is why the decision is for the attorney-general to seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and we leave it to his wisdom (Idrus).”

On September 9, the Kuala Lumpur High Court decided that a baby born overseas to a Malaysian woman who is married to a foreigner automatically qualifies for Malaysian citizenship.

On September 13, however, the government decided to appeal to revoke the verdict.

Saifuddin had earlier received a petition and open letter to the cabinet from Family Frontiers, a non-governmental organisation protecting the affected mothers, via the campaign #TarikBalikRayuan. – Bernama, October 30, 2021.