The work
In Malaysia’s Sabah state, where roughly one in three people are stateless, independent news outlet Malaysiakini uncovered grave abuses of maternal and child rights. Its investigation revealed how newborns were taken from stateless mothers without consent, sparking outrage, official investigations and renewed debate over the treatment of marginalized communities.
Malaysiakini’s investigation revealed that newborns of stateless mothers in a Sabah hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were put up for adoption without parental consent. The exposé shed light on systemic issues facing stateless communities, including child marriages, legal barriers to maternal rights and the absence of protection for children without citizenship.
The report illustrated how widespread statelessness is in Sabah, affecting around one-third of the population, and showed how it has left families vulnerable to exploitation and stripped of basic rights, from healthcare to legal recognition.
Impact
The investigation had immediate consequences. Authorities launched government inquiries, a police report was filed and ministers promised a full probe into adoption and welfare procedures. Civil society groups amplified calls for transparency and reform.
The story won a 2024 SOPA Award, recognizing its impact and quality. By exposing systemic abuses and prompting institutional accountability, Malaysiakini not only defended the rights of stateless mothers and children but also reinforced the critical role of independent media in safeguarding human dignity.