Malaysia Case Law: Decisions & Judgments

Topic

Legitimacy act 1961

Legal area

Court

24 May 2022

1. ) KETUA PENDAFTARAN KELAHIRAN DAN KEMATIAN MALAYSIA 2. ) MENTERI DALAM NEGERI MALAYSIA 1. ) Chew Chia Chia (Menuntut Melalui Chew Kean Yew (No. Kp: 750201-07-5387) 2. ) Chew Chia Ching (Menuntut Melalui Chew Kean Yew (No. Kp: 750201-07-5

Citation

P-01(A)-322-06/2021 (Mahkamah Rayuan)
Court

A
Case number

P-01(A)-322-06/2021 (Mahkamah Rayuan)

The court was bound by the Federal Court majority in CTEB: legitimacy for the purposes of citizenship by operation of law is determined at the time of birth; subsequent legitimation or registration of marriage does not alter the child's birth status for Article 14(1)(b) purposes; therefore the High Court declarations based on a contrary premise were set aside and the appeals allowed.
24 May 2022

1. ) PEGUAM NEGARA MALAYSIA 2. ) KETUA PENDAFTARAN KELAHIRAN DAN KEMATIAN MALAYSIA Go Fu Seng

Citation

P-01(A)-321-06/2021 (Mahkamah Rayuan)
Court

A
Case number

P-01(A)-321-06/2021 (Mahkamah Rayuan)

The Court allowed the appeals, holding that legitimacy for purposes of acquisition of citizenship by operation of law under Article 14(1)(b) must be determined at the time of birth; subsequent legitimation or registration of parents' marriage and orders under the Legitimacy Act 1961 do not alter the child's birth status for constitutional qualification, and an illegitimate child follows the mother's citizenship pursuant to s.17 Part III; the Court was bound by the Federal Court majority in CTEB and set aside the High Court declarations.
1 Jan 1900

1. ) CHEW CHIA CHIA 2. ) CHEW CHIA CHING 1. ) KETUA PENDAFTARAN KELAHIRAN DAN KEMATIAN MALAYSIA 2. ) MENTERI DALAM NEGERI

Citation

PA-34-5-08/2019 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Court

High Court
Case number

PA-34-5-08/2019 (Mahkamah Tinggi)

The court followed the Court of Appeal decision in Madhuvita and held that legitimacy is to be assessed by reference to the person's prevailing/current status at the time of consideration; because the applicants had been legitimated by their parents' subsequent marriage and by court order they were legitimate for the purposes of s.17 and thus entitled to rely on their father's citizenship so as to be Malaysian citizens by operation of law under Article 14(1)(b).

Malaysia Case Law

1. ) KETUA PENDAFTARAN KELAHIRAN DAN KEMATIAN MALAYSIA 2. ) MENTERI DALAM NEGERI MALAYSIA 1. ) Chew Chia Chia (Menuntut Melalui Chew Kean Yew (No. Kp: 750201-07-5387) 2. ) Chew Chia Ching (Menuntut Melalui Chew Kean Yew (No. Kp: 750201-07-5

1. ) PEGUAM NEGARA MALAYSIA 2. ) KETUA PENDAFTARAN KELAHIRAN DAN KEMATIAN MALAYSIA Go Fu Seng

1. ) CHEW CHIA CHIA 2. ) CHEW CHIA CHING 1. ) KETUA PENDAFTARAN KELAHIRAN DAN KEMATIAN MALAYSIA 2. ) MENTERI DALAM NEGERI