I REFER to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s speech in Parliament yesterday in conjunction with World Children’s Day.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to protect and defend the rights of our children in line with the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia.

The best interests of our children must be a primary consideration for this government and its agencies.

Every single application and its outcome must be based on the best interest of the child, from Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara and Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat to schools and healthcare.

Keluarga Malaysia is about identity and a sense of belonging. There is no better place for the prime minister to start practising his own slogan than resolving citizenship woes affecting children.

Without citizenship, children are left in a vulnerable state without an identity and without any sense of belonging. Keluarga Malaysia is remote and foreign to them.

The high court decision on September 9 to grant citizenship to overseas-born children of Malaysian mothers brought much joy and hope to many Malaysian mothers and children alike.

However, contrary to the interests of children, this same government appealed the decision and filed a stay until the appeal is resolved.

I am not able to reconcile Ismail’s aforesaid speech with the actions of his government. The head says something but the hands and legs behave otherwise.

Keluarga Malaysia are mere empty words for these affected children fighting against the might of the government for their identity papers to be issued.

The vision of ensuring that the children of Keluarga Malaysia are not left behind must start now. It also starts with this government establishing a ministry or at the very least, an agency dedicated solely to ensuring children’s rights are practised and protected.

Actions speak louder than words. I urge Ismail to start acting on his Keluarga Malaysia slogan, end the rhetoric by withdrawing the government’s appeal today and instruct the Home Ministry to immediately issue the documents to secure these children’s identity.

Receiving their citizenship would be the best Children’s Day gift from a government that dishes out ‘Salam Keluarga Malaysia’ daily. – November 18, 2021.

* Hannah Yeoh is MP for Segambut.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.