Fatimah: Kuching leads 183 citizenship applications under Article 15A

KUCHING (Jan 20): A total of 183 citizenship applications under Article 15A were presented during a Sarawak-level meeting of the Special Committee on Citizenship Status (JKKSK).

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said cases involving illegitimate children were the highest, followed by guardianship and adoption cases.

“There are 108 cases involving illegitimate children, 70 guardianship cases, and five adoption cases.

“Kuching recorded the most illegitimate child cases with 36, followed by Miri (21) and Bintulu (9).

“In 2025, JKKSK received 63 applications: 38 for illegitimate children, 10 guardianship cases, and 15 adopted children,” she said.

Fatimah stressed that marriage registration in accordance with national law is key to reducing such cases.

“Any marriage ceremony conducted outside Malaysia must be registered accordingly,” she said.

Fatimah clarified that JKKSK only facilitates special citizenship applications and does not have the authority to approve them.

During the press conference, two recent recipients of citizenship were introduced: Lesa Safitri, 24, and Soliman Wan, 52.

Soliman, joining the meeting online, said he had waited 33 years to obtain his citizenship.

“I was denied many benefits, especially in education. The future felt bleak.

“I hope others in the same situation will obtain their rights as citizens,” he said.

Fatimah also announced that the age limit for Article 15A applications will be lowered from 21 to 18, effective June 2026, to align with the legal definition of a child.

“A child is defined as a person below the age of 18.

“Applications submitted before 18 will be processed under Article 15A, while those after 18 will fall under Article 19 (naturalisation), she explained.

Fatimah added that the main cause of illegitimate child cases is when the mother is not a Malaysian citizen.

On the implementation of the new MyCard, Fatimah said the transition will begin in stages, beginning from June 2026.

“Existing MyCards remain valid until the government officially announces the replacement period,” added Fatimah.