Girl born to local father, Filipino woman is M’sian citizen: Court of Appeal

JOHOR BARU – A 15-year-old girl born to a local father and Filipino woman can be rightly declared a Malaysian citizen, according to a Court of Appeal decision today.

In ruling so, the Court of Appeal affirmed a 2019 high court decision.

The Court of Appeal said that the law was interpreted correctly by the high court, adding that the federal government erroneously construed provisions in the federal constitution before arriving at their decision.

The three-panel bench comprises Datuk Gunalan Muniandy, Datuk Seri Kamaludin Md Said and Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera.

On May 2, 2019, the high court declared the girl a Malaysian citizen by virtue of Article 14(1)(b) of the federal constitution.

The high court further ordered the issuance of a citizenship certificate and identification card to the girl.

The federal government was represented by counsels Liew Horng Bin and Nur Idayu Amir, while the girl was represented by Annou Xavier and Larissa Ann Louis.

Unless there is an appeal filed against the Court of Appeal’s decision to the Federal Court, the government will have to comply with the high court’s decision and grant the girl citizenship documents recognising her status as a Malaysian citizen. – The Vibes, February 15, 2022