THERE is no better starting point for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to practise his Keluarga Malaysia slogan than by resolving citizenship woes affecting children in Malaysia, said a former deputy minister.
Hannah Yeoh, who was deputy women, family and community development minister in the Pakatan Harapan government, said that the best interest of children must be a primary consideration in the decisions and actions of the Government including those of its agencies.
“From the National Registration Department (JPN) and Community Welfare Department to education in schools and healthcare in public clinics and hospitals, every single application and its outcome must be based on the best interest of the child,” she said.
The Segambut MP said that Keluarga Malaysia is about identity and a sense of belonging, and without citizenship, children are left in a vulnerable state without an identity and without any sense of belonging.
“The decision by the High Court on Sept 9, 2021 to grant citizenship to overseas-born children of Malaysian mothers brought much joy and hope to many Malaysian mothers and children alike,” she remarked.
“However, contrary to the interests of children, this same Government filed an appeal against the High Court’s decision while a stay/temporary suspension of the High Court ruling pending its appeal was also filed by this same Government.
“I am not able to reconcile the Prime Minister’s aforesaid speech with the actions of his Government.”
Yeoh was referring to Ismail Sabri’s speech in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 17) in conjunction with World Children’s Day, in which the Prime Minister had reiterated the Government’s commitment to protect and defend the rights of children in line with the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia.
“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,” she added.
According to Yeoh, 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 Sabri to start acting on his Keluarga Malaysia slogan, end the rhetoric by withdrawing the Government’s appeal against the High Court decision today and instruct the Home Ministry to immediately issue the relevant documents to secure these children’s identity in this land.
“Receiving their citizenship would be the best Children’s Day gift from a Government that dishes out ‘Salam Keluarga Malaysia’ daily.” – Nov 18, 2021
