# Malaysian mothers face citizenship delays

> Malaysian mothers must choose between risky childbirth in Malaysia or long citizenship waits abroad due to unenforced constitutional reforms.
- Title: Malaysian mothers face citizenship delays · Malay Mail
- Summary: Malaysian mothers must choose between risky childbirth in Malaysia or long citizenship waits abroad due to unenforced constitutional reforms. Malaysian…
- Keywords: constitution amendment act 2025, malaysian mothers, citizenship, stateless children, joint action group for gender equality, malaysian women, malaysian citizenship, unenforced law, pregnant women, childbirth, news, world
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2026/10/13/delays-to-the-implementation-of-the-constitution-amendment-act-2025-prolongs-gender-discrimination-against-malaysian-mothers-joint-action-group-for-gender-equality-jag/238986
- Published: 2026-10-13T21:59:43+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: constitution amendment act 2025, malaysian mothers, citizenship, stateless children, joint action group for gender equality, malaysian women, malaysian citizenship, unenforced law, pregnant women, childbirth, news, world
## Constitution amendment bill passes
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 passed both houses of Parliament by December 2024 and received Royal Assent on March 7, 2025.
## Implementation date unannounced
The amendments remain unenforced with no official implementation date announced.
## Malaysian women overseas face challenges
Malaysian women overseas continue facing citizenship issues including childbirth complications and statelessness risks.
## Pregnant woman's dilemma
Melissa (pseudonym) must choose between high-risk childbirth in malaysia or lengthy citizenship applications abroad.
## Family citizenship barriers
Non-malaysian husbands cannot pass citizenship to children born abroad without legal reforms.
## Tiana's family uncertainty
Tiana worries about returning to malaysia for childbirth due to citizenship barriers for her child.
## Civil society support
Civil society groups acknowledge progress in processing citizenship applications but demand timely implementation.
## Stateless children risk
Every passing day creates another child at risk of statelessness due to unenforced law.
## Joint action group endorses
Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) endorses 13 organizations and 70 individuals for reform.
## Call for implementation
The law must be implemented to prevent stateless children and ensure equal citizenship rights.
## Executive responsibility
The executive branch must enforce the law to prevent stateless newborns and administrative delays.
## Key takeaway

Malaysian mothers face citizenship delays as constitutional amendments remain unenforced, risking statelessness for children born abroad.