Round-the-clock breaking news from Malaysia.
A Court of Appeal decision has reignited debate over Malaysia's citizenship laws, which deny nationality to children born outside wedlock to foreign mothers—even when DNA confirms paternity and the children have grown up entirely in Malaysia.
A High Court judge has ruled against a Pahang-born woman's citizenship claim, determining she cannot automatically acquire Malaysian citizenship because she failed to demonstrate her parents were lawfully married.
Malaysia's National Registration Department has recorded 4,598 late birth registration applications since January, warning that delays can prevent access to healthcare, education and government services.
The Home Ministry revealed that 3,640 citizenship applications in Sabah remain unresolved as of May, with only 10 approved so far. The government is implementing procedural reforms and expanding outreach programmes to address delays.
Malaysia's National Registration Department has approved 286 of 298 MyKAS temporary resident identity card applications from the Indian community since 2022, with a 96 per cent approval rate, Deputy Home Minister reports.
The Home Affairs Ministry will review recommendations from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission regarding naturalised citizenship applications, including scrutiny of seven footballers granted Malaysian citizenship.
Malaysia's Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission has recommended a comprehensive review of citizenship procedures for seven naturalised football players, citing procedural irregularities and calling for stricter oversight mechanisms.
Thai authorities arrested a hospital officer and district official in a scheme that allegedly used fake Thai fathers to grant Thai nationality to children of Chinese nationals, with investigations revealing over 160 suspected cases dating back to 2020.
Malaysia evaluates citizenship applications on individual merit, including cases involving children born abroad to Malaysian mothers. The Home Ministry targets one-year processing times while maintaining security standards.