Still a sore point among MPs

The proposed constitutional amendments to the citizenship legislation remains a contentious matter, with backbenchers continuing to raise concerns and calling for the two issues in the Bill to be decoupled.

“Please separate the good amendments from the other regressive amendments to our Federal Constitution,” said Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim.

He was referring to the two issues in the yet-to-be-tabled Bill – one enabling children born overseas to Malaysian women to get automatic citizenship and the other which disallows foundlings and stateless children from getting citizenship.

“Table the Bill to enable children born overseas to Malaysian women to become Malaysian citizens. It’s a progressive and good amendment,” Hassan said.

“Please don’t proceed with the five amendments on foundlings and other stateless children. These five amendments are not only regressive but against natural justice and may lead to human rights violations.”

On March 17, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the proposal to amend the Constitution involving citizenship was made by the government and not solely by him.

“It is not Saifuddin Nasution’s (decision), but the Home Ministry and the government’s decision,” he said in reply to the strong backlash to the proposed amendments that some say will worsen conditions for stateless children.

As the amendments are still at briefing level in Parliament, Chow Yu Hui (PH-Raub) said most feedback was made based on unconfirmed provisions.

“We need further deliberation on the terms, some of which can be described as vague.

“For example, basic proficiency in the national language remains a requirement for anyone applying for Malaysian citizenship but it can be prone to misinterpretation and abuse.

“How is ‘basic’ defined? Is it primary school level?” he said.

Chow also said a proposed lowering of the age limit for stateless children to apply for citizenship – from 21 to 18 years old – could lead to a “longer wait” and “more bureaucracy.”

Howard Lee Chuan How (PH-Ipoh Timur) said it was premature to comment further.

“It has been discussed but there is no Bill for us to debate right now.

“We can’t reject nor accept, or ask for decoupling a piece of legislation that has not hit the floor,” he said.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh had previously called on the government to postpone the proposed amendments on citizenship until there is further study.

The controversial Bill has led to much disagreement among MPs, with speculation that they may vote against party lines.

The DAP lawmaker singled out one main proposal out of the eight, which involves granting citizenship to stateless children and foundlings (abandoned infants).

“If the government’s proposal is approved, a foundling would not be eligible for automatic citizenship and would have to go through a registration process (with the National Registration Department),” said Ramkarpal.

Currently, they are eligible for automatic citizenship.