German Teen Cyclist Finally Gets Malaysian Citizenship

Mohd Justin Felix Nagel is a 15-year-old cyclist based in Muar. Born to a German father and Malaysian mother, he has been trying to become a Malaysian citizen for the past eight years. The once stateless teen’s long awaited dream finally came true after years of blood, sweat and tears. Justin was granted citizenship status by the Home Ministry’s National Registration Department (NRD) and will soon be able to apply for a MyKad.

Image: NST

Early this month, Justin was kicked out of his school hostel in Muar because he did not have a MyKad. He was living at the Dato Sri Amar Diraja hostel under a sports development programme with the Johor junior team, which he has been training for two years. Due to the unfortunate event, he was forced to stay at a cabin at his coaches Mohd Fuad Daud’s and Mohd Firdaus Daud’s home.

Image: Twitter / Sini Laken

Justin and his family can finally put their worries at ease now that he can apply for a place to stay at the hostel and continue pursuing his dream of representing Malaysia in cycling competitions. Speaking to New Straits Times (NST), coach Firdaus said they plan to send Justin to Europe this June or July for a development programme in which he will be able to participate in training and competitions. The Johor Sports Council’s high performance sports unit will also be meeting with the Education Ministry to update Justin’s status.

Justin and his mother Hasni Samsudin have been trying to apply for his Malaysian citizenship since 2009. Hasni and Justin’s father, Kai Negal had divorced in 2006. Last June, Justin’s stepfather, former national cyclist Azil Iskandar Abdul Aziz had submitted an official letter to Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to seek his help in sorting out Justin’s citizenship application problems. He was finally called for an interview with the NRD in September last year, with support from the Khairy Jamaluddin, Home Minister’s office, as well as the Johor Cycling Association.