Delays to the implementation of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2025 prolongs gender discrimination against Malaysian mothers — Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG)

Delays in implementing the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2025 prolong gender discrimination against Malaysian mothers, according to the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG). Despite the passage of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024, which granted equal citizenship rights to Malaysian women, the amendments remain unenforced and ineffective.

This leaves Malaysian women and their children, particularly those born abroad, without equal access to nationality, creating a precarious situation. The delay in enforcement affects recently married Malaysian women living overseas, such as Tiana, who must choose between delivering her child abroad or risking her health to give birth in Malaysia.

The authors and endorsing organizations emphasize that Malaysian women should not be forced to make such choices and demand the timely implementation of the amendment to ensure no newborn Malaysian is left stateless or in limbo due to administrative delays.