MALAYSIA 

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship laws are based upon the Constitution of Malaysia.

• BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Malaysia does not automatically confer right to citizenship.
• BY DESCENT:
• Child born in wedlock, both of whose parents are citizens of Malaysia, regardless of the child’s country of birth.
• Child born in wedlock, in Malaysia, of a Malaysian mother and a foreign father.
• Child, born in wedlock, abroad, of a Malaysian mother and a foreign father, obtains father's citizenship.
• Child born out of wedlock, in Malaysia, of a Malaysian mother.
• A child born out of wedlock, outside of Malaysia, to a Malaysian mother, is not considered a citizen of Malaysia. The child may return to Malaysia with the mother with a permanent residency status and may apply for citizenship later.
• MARRIAGE: A foreign woman who marries a citizen of Malaysia may obtain citizenship through registration. However, citizenship is revoked if the marriage is dissolved by divorce or annulment within the first two years.
• BY NATURALIZATION: Citizenship by naturalization is not encouraged. Naturalization conditions were not provided.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP:  NOT RECOGNIZED.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

• VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Malaysian citizenship is permitted by law. Contact the Embassy for details and required paperwork.
• INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Malaysian citizenship:
• Person voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship.
• Registered or Naturalized citizen…

            Comes under criminal sentence at home or abroad within five years after gaining citizenship.

• Shows disloyalty to the country and Government of Malaysia.
• Works for a foreign government without permission of the Malaysian government.
• Resides continuously abroad for more than five years without registering with Malaysian Embassies or Consulates.
• Citizenship was obtained through fraud or false statement.