KUALA LUMPUR: This year’s National Day celebrations mark a new chapter of joy for two mums because their children can finally call themselves Malaysian.
For Nur Ain Abdullah, National Day is especially meaningful this year as her youngest daughter, Maryam, 19, is now a Malaysian citizen.
Maryam was born in a neighbouring country. She returned to her family in Malaysia in 2009 at age 3. Growing up stateless, she was unable to participate in school competitions, access public facilities or fully enjoy National Day celebrations.
“She couldn’t take part because the criteria requires a Malay-sian citizen. It was heartbreaking for her,” Ain said.
The family’s journey began when Maryam was 14, after she confided in her mother about her struggles.
When Ain handed Maryam the approval letter in January, they wept tears of joy and relief.
“It felt like freedom. Her own Merdeka,” Ain said.
At age 19, Maryam will celebrate National Day as a Malaysian for the first time by joining her brothers at the parade.
“For us, Merdeka is not just about independence. It’s also about my daughter finally being recognised as part of this country,” Ain said.
For insurance agent Leong Sze Yieng, Merdeka also holds a special meaning this year.
After nearly a decade of uncertainty, her daughter, Li Zi Xuan, 9, will finally celebrate National Day as a Malaysian.
Zi Xuan was born in Australia in 2016 to Leong and her then-husband, a Chinese national.
Due to conflicting nationality laws, Zi Xuan grew up without Malaysian citizenship, holding only a Chinese passport through her father — a document she depended on just to return home.
The family received approval in last December, a beautiful ending to a process that began in 2017.
The news was so overwhelming that Leong fell ill for three days.
“After so many years of anxiety, my body just couldn’t handle it anymore as I had been staying strong for my daughter.”
Without an identity card, Zi Xuan struggled to enrol in school and was often treated as a foreigner.
Leong spent years going between government departments, fearing her daughter might one day become stateless.
Now that her daughter’s citizenship is secured, Leong plans to gather her family for a special dinner and to watch the National Day celebration on television.
“She took a picture of her IC to show her friends on WhatsApp. She is so proud to say she is Malaysian now,” Leong said.
As these mothers celebrate National Day with joy, one mother is still waiting with mixed emotions for her daughter to be recognised as Malaysian.
For Cecily Andrews Fourrier, National Day will be filled with both pride and heartache.
Her adopted daughter, Cassandra, was born in Malaysia to a foreign mother, but still does not have any legal documents.
“It’s a very tedious process. We only began last year and we are still in the early stages.
“Even the smallest step requires going back and forth between multiple offices,” Andrews said.
Cassandra, who is autistic, epileptic and developmentally delayed, has faced denial of healthcare and difficulties accessing education.
“There’s a lot of sadness and anger in me as a mother. I worry about her future, especially because I also live with chronic health challenges.
“But I hope that I will be here long enough to see through this process,” Andrews said.
Despite the challenges, Andrews encourages her daughter to embrace the spirit of Merdeka.
This year, she will dress both her daughters in Merdeka-themed outfits and join school and family celebrations.
“She loves songs like Saya Anak Malaysia. She’ll dance, sing and wave the flag with joy. My daughter embodies the spirit of being Malaysian, even if she doesn’t yet hold the papers,” Andrews said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
