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ADVOCATES for Non-discrimination and Access to Knowledge (Anak) urges swift action to address the crisis of statelessness among children in Malaysia. 

The recent constitutional amendments have removed but also added significant hurdles in accessing citizenship, leaving thousands of children with limited access to legal identity, rights, or opportunities.

As a Sabah-based NGO supporting stateless children and youth, systemic challenges in East Malaysia continue to inhibit access to citizenship. 

Even individuals born to Sabahan families and raised entirely within Sabah face an uphill struggle. These barriers can even appear at birth.

For example, while parents in Peninsular Malaysia have 60 days to register a child's birth, parents in Sabah are given only 42 days. 

For families in Sabah’s rural districts, the challenging terrain and underdevelopment limit access to registration centres. 

This often leads to missed deadlines and unregistered births, setting off a lifetime of obstacles.

Other complications, such as parents lacking a marriage certificate, can prevent a child from obtaining a MyKad, even if they possess a birth certificate. 

Without a MyKad, these stateless individuals face challenges as they grow older, from limited access to education, to restricted employment opportunities and social exclusion.  

Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to break free from the cycle of statelessness and marginalisation.

A successful citizenship application under Article 15(A) of the Federal Constitution can take multiple attempts over several years, and the first application is often rejected. 

The recent amendments lowering the citizenship application age limit from 21 to 18 may seem positive in aligning with Malaysia’s voting age. 

However, this also reduces the window for unsuccessful applicants to reapply for citizenship with the National Registration Department (JPN).

The Home Ministry and policymakers have promised expedited processes with streamlined bureaucracy, but Anak’s experience tells another story. 

Bureaucratic inefficiencies, unexplained rejections, complex documentation requirements, and a lack of public awareness – especially within Sabah’s rural and indigenous communities – pose real threats to the success of these amendments. 

Without significant reform, the reduced application window would ultimately harm those it is meant to help.

We want assurance that the amendments passed in Parliament are not symbolic gestures, but actually benefit the thousands of children born to Sabahans with documentation issues. 

These individuals deserve the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the nation they call home - as Malaysian citizens.

In 2019, Subang MP Wong Chen produced a report estimating that stateless people contributed about half the average worker’s productivity, valued at RM81,039 in 2018. 

This suggests that, with an estimated 150,000 stateless individuals and a potential contribution of RM40,520 each, Malaysia's economy suffers an annual loss of approximately RM6 billion. This represents a significant economic opportunity missed due to the inability of stateless individuals to fully participate in the economy.

Ultimately, we believe that granting citizenship to stateless individuals would strengthen Malaysia’s economy and societal fabric.

On Anak’s part, we will continue to advocate for more transparency and accountability in the citizenship application system. We also aim to work with policymakers and the civil service to further improve this process. After all, citizenship is a human right. 

Mary Anne K. Baltazar

Founding Director

Advocates for Non-discrimination and Access to Knowledge (Anak)

The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: Forum@dailyexpress.com.my