Press Statement
14th September 2021

Ismail Sabri fails his 100 days test to safeguard his big Malaysian family concept

I read with disgust the Perikatan Nasional government’s latest decision to appeal and to set aside last week’s High Court decision that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers are entitled to citizenship by operation of law. The Attorney-General Idrus Harun has informed the media that the notice of appeal had been filed. The Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had also described the decision by the High Court as “illuminating”.

Just days ago, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun had publicly welcomed the court decision, “describing it as a new ray of hope for Malaysian women”. She had also said that the decision reflected the Perikatan Nasional Government’s commitment to creating equality for women. As the Attorney General’s action clearly contradicted that public statement by the Women Minister, one cannot help but wonder if this is a double-minded Government or is it just another case of the Women Minister’s being clueless about her responsibility to champion equality for women?

I urgently call on the Prime Minister to urgently instruct the Attorney-General to withdraw the appeal and similarly instruct the Home Ministry to respect and implement the High Court’s decision. This episode alone has shown so many inconsistencies within his Cabinet but the most glaring weakness is the failure of this Government to protect women and children. His one big Malaysian family concept is being tested and torn apart by this nonsensical and cruel decision of the Attorney-General to cause hardship and heartache to these mothers and their families. This is Ismail Sabri’s 100 days test to show he can tame his multi-headed Government and bring relief to these suffering mothers and their children.

Hannah Yeoh
MP for Segambut