Malaysia dual nationality.

[nickcar]

Does anybody know if Malaysia allows dual nationality? I have a female thai friend who recently gave birth in Thailand to the son of a Malaysian national. She tells me his nationality had to be Malaysian as they don't allow dual nationality. Further she tell me if he didn't have Malaysian nationality he would not be entitled to any part of his fathers family estate.

This sounds surprising to me as i would expect Malaysians to have wills like most countries and you can leave things to anyone. Further i would have expected that a child born in Thailand to a thai national would automatically have thai nationality.

Any body have any knowledge about this?

[Mario2008]

The child has automatically Thai nationality because of the nationality of the mother (being born in Thailand is irrelevant).

Malaysia does not allow dual nationality, so a choice must be made. If the child wants to maintain Malaysian nationality the Thai nationality must be renounced. (Thai law allows dual nationality).

Many countries allow for a time frame (often till age 18) for the child to choose, I am not sure on Malaysian nationality regarding this.

[nickcar]

Thanks for that. Do you know, if the mother renounces thai nationality at birth on the babies behalf, can the child get Thai nationality back?

[Mario2008]

Yes, the child can regain its Thai nationality (but would automatically lose its Malaysian nationality).

[Mario2008]

Yes, the child can regain its Thai nationality (but would automatically lose its Malaysian nationality).

But check first at what age dual nationality must be resolved under Malasian law. It might not be till age 18 or so.