Malaysia is set to introduce automatic citizenship for children born overseas to Malaysian mothers, a landmark reform expected to take effect by mid-next year.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that preparations are underway, including the creation of new registration forms, updates to administrative systems, and notifications to Malaysian diplomatic missions worldwide. The Attorney General’s Chambers is also finalising reviews of amendments to relevant laws, regulations, and procedures.
Photo via Borneo Post Online
“The review will cover changes to the Nationality Regulations 1964 and the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957,” Saifuddin told Bernama.
The historic move follows the passage of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat on 17 October last year. Approved with a two-thirds majority, the amendment strengthens justice, equality, and transparency in citizenship matters. Under the new law, children born overseas to Malaysian mothers married to foreign nationals will automatically receive Malaysian citizenship—a right that was previously limited to children of Malaysian fathers.
Saifuddin described the reform as a major step toward fairness for Malaysian women. He also noted that it forms part of a broader effort to address the country’s long-standing backlog of citizenship applications, which at one point exceeded 50,000 cases. Currently, only around 6,000 applications remain under review.
“While the remaining cases are fewer, the impact on citizens’ lives is profound. Achieving this milestone gives me great satisfaction because we know we are doing the right thing,” he said.
Right now, children born overseas to Malaysian mothers are not automatically granted citizenship because existing laws previously only recognised Malaysian fathers…
This has left many families facing lengthy application processes and uncertainty, highlighting the need for reforms that ensure equality and protect the rights of Malaysian women and their children.
