00:00For many Malaysians, Merdeka revolves around the celebration of gaining independence.
00:05But for some this year, it will be about breaking free from the shackles of discriminatory policies
00:10that made becoming a Malaysian citizen an arduous challenge.
00:15For children born overseas to Malaysian mothers,
00:17the journey has often been frustrating and disheartening.
00:22Esther Teo's daughter, Mia, who was born in Germany, was no stranger to being called a foreigner
00:28despite being raised here and attending a local school.
00:32But just because she's used to it, Teo said,
00:34being branded as such still hurt her daughter deeply.
00:38It was in August definitely where there is a session on Merdeka
00:45and the children were waving a Malaysian flag.
00:48They had to sing the Garaku and so on.
00:51So at that time, I was beside her and she started asking me,
00:55Mommy, why am I not a Malaysian?
00:58So at that time, you know, I couldn't answer her.
01:03Another mother, Aniza Ismail, also shared a similar experience.
01:07But as her children were older, she lived with the constant fear of them being deported.
01:13Two of her three older children, aged 21 and 18, were born in the U.S.
01:19After a while, I figured that this is not where I was born.
01:23This is not where I'm supposed to be, like where I belong.
01:27So where I belong is here, Malaysia.
01:29That's why no matter what, I came back with the kids
01:33and fought hard for them to get their citizenship.
01:36They were small kids when I brought them home.
01:39And their sister also is a Malaysian.
01:40So they can also be together without any separation.
01:44Despite the challenges endured, these women's perseverance paid off.
01:48After a nine-year wait, Mia was granted citizenship,
01:51while Aniza's two daughters received theirs after 14 long years.
01:57To commemorate Mia's first merdeka,
01:59Teo intends to have a family portrait taken with the Jalur Gemilang.
02:03Earlier this year, at that time, she's already Malaysian.
02:06And she came to me and said,
02:08Hey, Mommy, I'm now a Malaysian.
02:10And she gave me such a sweet smile.
02:13As for Aniza's daughter, Atika Mawarni Suparjan,
02:16she takes pleasure in simply being able to present her IC instead of her passport
02:21when asked for her documents.
02:22I just want to say, don't feel like an outcast
02:27just because you don't get citizenship.
02:30If you close with the circle that treats you well, then you'll be fine.
02:35Natasha Buzd and Revati Supermaniam, FMT News.
Comments