As parents, we always want to provide our children with the best that we can. However, sometimes, we need more support and help than we realize.

A Malaysian couple recently shared their struggles in obtaining citizenship for their adopted daughter and the difficulties of living without citizenship.

Wong and his wife had always wanted to build a family of their own. Unfortunately, Wong's wife was diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency, also known as early ovarian failure, when she was 18. As a result, they decided to adopt a child one year after they got married.

Uncertain Details Of Birth Parents

In 2019, they took in a baby girl from a recognized NGO-run baby hatch and adopted her. The child's biological mother had left her, and although she was given a birth certificate, it declared her as a non-citizen. The authorities were unable to grant her citizenship as the details of her birth parents were uncertain.

Four Years Of Trying And Still Counting

In 2020, Wong and his wife applied for citizenship for their child under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution. They completed all necessary processes and even went to court.

"But the home ministry told us that they were processing applications from 2016 to 2019. Since we filed our application in 2020, we had to wait." 

They waited for over three years, yet nothing changed. Their application remains pending, and no citizenship was granted to their daughter.

In 2021, the Federal Court of Malaysia ruled that a baby born in Kuala Lumpur and adopted by a local couple would be granted Malaysian citizenship. This ruling is in Wong's favour, as it sets a precedent for authorities to grant citizenship to abandoned children whose parents' details remain uncertain. However, they are still waiting for their daughter's turn.

The Struggles Of A "Stateless Child"

As the wait stretches on, Wong worries about his daughter's future. He has heard stories from other so-called stateless children, and he can relate to their situations.

"I want to open a bank account for her education fund, but I can't because she has no citizenship," Wong said in an interview.

He recalled the times when he had to pay foreign rates at the government hospital and a local zoo for his daughter as she is not yet a Malaysian citizen.

The couple anticipates upcoming challenges in enrolling their daughter in a public school next year. They cannot register her through the government's portal because she does not have a MyKid card.

"We approached state education officials last year when she was five, and they told us to come back only at the end of this year to find out if there is an empty slot for her at the school we want," Wong said.

Additionally, they were informed that their child's spot would depend on availability and that she would need to start school two weeks later than the other kids.

"For us, this is discrimination," Wong added."

A Parents' Hope 

Wong and his wife have high hopes for their five-year-old. The little girl has huge dreams of becoming a ballerina or a pilot when she grows up.

They hope that their daughter will become a good citizen who gives back to the community. However, all of this remains impossible if the little girl is not granted her citizenship.

Wong added that he and his wife will try their best to provide love and support for the child. At the same time, they also hope that the government will give them the most crucial aid in making all of these dreams come true.