Govt ready to implement new citizenship rules, just waiting for date from Agong - minister
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Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the government is prepared to implement constitutional amendments granting Malaysian mothers equal rights to pass citizenship to their children. The enforcement is currently pending a specific date to be set by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Why it matters
This change addresses long-standing gender inequality in Malaysian citizenship laws, impacting the rights of children born to Malaysian women abroad.
News ✕ Govt ready to implement new citizenship rules, just waiting for date from Agong - minister Published: Oct 14, 2026 9:30 AM Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the government is ready to enforce a constitutional amendment which grants equal rights to Malaysian mothers to pass down citizenship.
He said the only thing he is waiting for is an enforcement date to be set by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the government is ready to enforce a constitutional amendment which grants equal rights to Malaysian mothers to pass down citizenship.
"I'm just waiting for that. If tomorrow the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consents to a date, (saying) 'enforcement starts Oct 14', then it will be enforced starting Oct 14.
"We're just waiting for that," he said during a Madani town hall meeting in Sungai Petani, Kedah last Saturday.
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