56 SUHAKAM to NRD for their further action. According to NRD, under Section 7 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957, every birth in Malaysia must be registered. iii. If the couple does not have a marriage certificate, the status of the child’s citizenship will be determined based on his/her mother’s nationality. iv. SUHAKAM raised concerns about delays in the process of applying for citizenship. The NRD informed that several steps need to be completed by their department before they send the application to the Ministry of Home Affairs. SUHAKAM was informed that citizenship is the highest recognition conferred by the government. Thus it is not considered a ‘right’ but is a ‘gift’ from the government. Next, SUHAKAM will meet with the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2020 for feedback on the process of applying for citizenship. 7. DEATHS IN CUSTODY This year, SUHAKAM received seven complaints pertaining to deaths in custody. They involve: i. Ahmad Zahri in IPD Gerik, Perak ii. Gopal Krisnan s/o M. Rajalingam in Sungai Petani Prison, Kedah iii. Soosaimanicckam s/o Joseph in Royal Malaysian Navy Base, Lumut, Perak iv. Ong Ching Kian in Simpang Renggam Prison, Johor v. Orhions Ewansiha Thomas in Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot, Kuala Lumpur vi. Mathan s/o Muniady in Shah Alam, Selangor vii. Mohammed Jakaria Bin Shafiqur Rahman in Semenyih Immigration Depot, Selangor The investigations into the first five cases have been completed. The remaining two are still being investigated. The death of Ahmad Zahri at IPD Gerik, Perak SUHAKAM received a complaint regarding the death of Ahmad Zahri (detainee) on 19 December 2018 while in custody at the Gerik District Police Headquarters in Perak. A police report was made on 15 January 2019. The complainant was dissatisfied with the cause of her son’s death and claimed that he was beaten while in lock-up.