For 39 years, Mohd Razwill bin Abdullah carried the heavy burden of being stateless. His story began in the unlikeliest of places—a dumpster near Chow Kit Market in Kuala Lumpur. Found wrapped in a white towel with his umbilical cord still attached, Razwill’s life began with uncertainty. Rescued and raised in a series of orphanages, his identity remained undefined.
Despite living his entire life in Malaysia, Razwill was never recognized as a citizen. Without citizenship, he faced countless barriers: no access to stable employment, banking, or healthcare, and no ability to marry or travel abroad. Razwill’s stateless status made him vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination, leaving him in a state of legal and social limbo.
Earlier this year, Razwill decided to take a stand. With the guidance of EzriLaw Firm’s Senior Partner, Habib Rahman, he embarked on a legal battle to claim the citizenship he had been denied for decades. The case was heard in the Penang High Court, where Razwill's story unfolded through affidavits and evidence that detailed a life shaped by adversity but rooted firmly in Malaysia.
Habib Rahman and his team built a strong case, emphasizing Razwill’s birth and lifelong residence in Malaysia, his upbringing under the care of the Department of Social Welfare, and the human rights implications of his statelessness. The court recognized that Razwill, despite his unique and challenging circumstances, met the legal criteria to be granted citizenship under Malaysian law.
Today, the Penang High Court ruled in Razwill’s favor, granting him the citizenship he had fought for his entire life. For Razwill, it was more than a legal victory—it was an affirmation of his identity, dignity, and belonging.
This case is a reminder of the struggles faced by stateless individuals and the transformative power of the law in restoring their fundamental rights. As Razwill looks to the future as a recognized Malaysian citizen, his story stands as a testament to resilience and the pursuit of justice.
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