Court rejects stateless man’s bid for citizenship through Malaysian father
A Malaysian court has rejected a father's attempt to secure citizenship for his stateless son, ruling that the lack of a marriage certificate at the time of birth prevents citizenship by operation of law. Despite DNA evidence of paternity, the court determined the child's status based on the mother's nationality.
Why it matters
The case underscores the legal complexities and challenges faced by stateless children in jurisdictions with strict citizenship laws.
The Kota Bharu High Court said there was no documentary evidence to establish that the biological parents were legally married when the child was born. (File pic)
PETALING JAYA: A man's bid to secure Malaysian citizenship for his stateless son, despite DNA evidence confirming their biological relationship, has been rejected by the High Court in Kota Bharu.
Judicial Commissioner Tengku Amir Zaki Tengku Abdul Rahman ruled that the child, born in Thailand to a Malaysian father and Thai mother, did not qualify for citizenship by operation of law as his parents could not prove they were legally married at the time of his birth.
The son, who has lived in Malaysia since he was about three months old, was born in Golok, Thailand, in June 2006. He has no birth certificate and has never held citizenship of any country.
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