A three-man Federal Court bench has dismissed the government's application for leave to pursue its appeals to prevent the two from receiving Malaysian citizenship.

The department says the photo of a MyKad making the rounds on social media shows the IC of a legitimate citizen who was adopted by a Chinese family at birth.

Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin says this will help the authorities know whether or not the documents are authentic.

Nor Adilla Ramli is still waiting for an answer from the home ministry after submitting an application for citizenship years ago.

Rights group Lawyers for Liberty says it is unlawful to deny citizenship to any child born to at least one parent who is a Malaysian simply because the marriage is not registered.

Family Frontiers says some 70 Malaysian women are still waiting for updates on the citizenship applications of their children.

Police say a full investigation will be carried out, although Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin has denied the claims.

However, the Court of Appeal says she may still obtain citizenship by way of naturalisation if she fulfils the legal requirements.

A Court of Appeal bench says it is not persuaded that there are special circumstances warranting a stay.

The Sabah National Registration Department says the disruption was caused by a delay in the supply of paper from China.

It was originally scheduled to be heard on March 18 next year but will now be heard on Dec 22.

This follows an internal investigation by the National Registration Department.