1. ) LAU LAI LENG 2. ) LAU WEI SIANG (Seorang kanak-kanak yang menuntut melalui Bapa Kandung yang sah di sisi undang-undang dan wakil litigasi, Lau Lai Leng) v 1. ) KETUA PENGARAH JABATAN PENDAFTARAN NEGARA 2. ) MENTERI DALAM NEGERI MALAYSIA 3. ) Kerajaan Malaysia
j-01ncvca-400-06-2024 Court of Appeal (Mahkamah Rayuan) 11 November 2025 • J-01(NCvC)(A)-400-06/2024
Catchwords
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — Citizenship — Citizenship by operation of law — Article 14(1)(b) Federal Constitution — Part II Second Schedule ss 1(a), 1(e), 2(3) — Requirement of jus soli and jus sanguinis — Whether proof of both required — Illegitimate child — Whether citizenship follows biological father or mother — Interpretation of “parents” under s 17 Second Schedule — Whether child born in Malaysia but to non-citizen mother entitled to citizenship — Whether child stateless — Binding effect of Federal Court decision — Appeal dismissed CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — Citizenship — Illegitimate child — Section 17 Second Schedule Federal Constitution — “Parents” construed as mother — Jus sanguinis traced to biological mother — Whether child born to foreign mother acquires foreign citizenship at birth — Burden of proof — Whether plaintiffs proved child not a citizen of any country — Failure to prove — Citizenship claim rejected CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — Citizenship — Article 14(1)(b) read with s 1(e) Second Schedule — Phrase “not born a citizen of any country” — Whether imports jus sanguinis requirement — Necessity to prove lineage at time of birth — Whether child capable of acquiring Cambodian citizenship — No statelessness — Claim fails CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — Citizenship — Article 14(1)(b) read with s 1(a) Second Schedule — Requirement that one parent be citizen or permanent resident — Illegitimate child — Whether biological father can be relied upon — Section 17 applies — “Parent” refers to mother — Requirement not satisfied — No entitlement to citizenship EVIDENCE — Burden of proof — Citizenship claim — Applicant asserting non-citizenship of any country — Obligation to prove on balance of probabilities — Failure to adduce sufficient evidence — Claim dismissed
Practice Areas
Judges (3)
Judgment
Read the full judgment on the official Malaysia Courts portal.
Read on eJudgmentSource: eJudgment (j-01ncvca-400-06-2024)