CITIZENSHIP: TIMELY ADVICE FROM HRH SULTAN OF JOHOR SAYS PROF DR JACOB GEORGE

CITIZENSHIP: WITHDRAW APPEAL, SOUND ADVICE FROM HRH THE SULTAN OF JOHOR SAYS MALAYSIA ASEAN APEC LEAD CONSUMERIST PROF DR JACOB GEORGE

So many wanted to meet HRH during his visit to Kerala India, a few years ago, the same time I was at the same venue, but miscommunication from certain individuals resulted in us not meeting.

They had heard of HRH, his love, kindness and generosity towards all Malaysians irrespective of race, religion or political persuasions.

So I was not surprised to receive so many calls from those in the country and abroad on HRH timely advice where Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar statement hit the international wires where HRH urged the government to abort its plans to appeal the recent High Court decision allowing citizenship rights to children born overseas, regardless of whether the Malaysian parent is the father or mother.

HRH had clearly pointed out that the sanctity of the courts must be upheld.

And any other decision at this juncture is discrimination against Malaysian mothers with overseas-born children!

HRH addressed also that pertinent issue of human rights that basic right of every child, irrespective of whether the Malaysian parent is the father or mother to be accorded citizenship and not be prejudiced against!

His view touched so many hearts across the nation and abroad when he stated that it does not feel right that Malaysian fathers and mothers are viewed differently in the eyes of the law concerning their child’s citizenship.

So the pertinent question he posed are Malaysian mothers less Malaysian than Malaysian fathers?

I am told that tears filled many eyes when HRH stated that it was time to embrace, welcome and nurture them as Malaysians, not to reject and turn them away and any such policy is fundamentally flawed!

My appeal is that it is time as HRH states the government withdraws any appeal to set aside the High Court decision that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers are entitled to citizenship by operation of law.