KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong says the citizenship issue for the German-born daughter of Johor-based Esther Teo should be ironed out so she can study and live in Malaysia.
Dr Wee (BN-Ayer Hitam), when debating the Supply Bill 2024 on the Home Ministry at the committee stage, questioned whether the ministry could assist in genuine cases before the proposed amendment of Article 14 (1)(b).
“For such cases, it (the citizenship application) must be expedited as it is a genuine case for us to raise the issue,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 16).
Dr Wee explained the case. The mother, Teo, working as an expat in Germany, had to leave her job and give birth to her second child in Johor to secure citizenship, while their first child was born in Germany.
The mother had also registered her marriage both in Malaysia and Denmark.
“The mother received devastating news that her eldest daughter's 2015 citizenship application was rejected based on Article 15 (2) years after.
“She then registered her marriage and her firstborn’s birth following the procedure, hoping to secure citizenship.
“Upon returning, her second child is eligible for Malaysian citizenship, but her eldest is still considered an outsider and cannot study in public schools,” he said.
On a separate matter, Dr Wee also requested the Home Ministry to facilitate registration and application for MyKad for Malaysians who still only hold MyKid and live in the United States and Saudi Arabia.
