|
Repeal Discriminatory Policies Against Women |
|
|
|
Saturday, 26 April 2008 12:16 |
|
Press statement by Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Wanita MCA Deputy Chairperson
I read with deep regret Mabel Teoh’s article (NST Letters, 25 Apr 08) expressing her frustration over the Malaysian government’s policy of denying citizenship to children on the basis that they were born abroad to a Malaysian woman. A woman’s citizenship rights should be viewed on its own legal merit regardless of the citizenship status of the father.
The policy of not granting automatic citizenship to children of Malaysian women is in direct contradiction to the Federal Constitution Article 8(2) which reads that “there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender in any law…”
MCA advocated for the incorporation of the term “gender” in Article 8(2) which was passed in Parliament in July 2001. Therefore, the government must commit to the application of the law in its entirety.
Policies which run counter to the premise of gender equality of the Federal Constitution are unconstitutional and unjust. MCA wants the present stand to be reverted to an automatic granting of citizenship to all children born of women holding Malaysian citizenship irrespective of their marital status and/or their point of residence. Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun Deputy Chairperson of Wanita MCA
|