Citizenship laws on pause

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite much public anticipation, the first Dewan Rakyat meeting of the year came to a surprising end after the proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship laws was not debated and passed.

The Bill to amend the Federal Constitution was tabled for a second reading by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic) yesterday evening.

However, after Saifuddin read the Bill, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul delivered his closing speech on the last day of the current meeting.

He summarised the Dewan Rakyat meeting from Feb 26 until March 27 before wishing everyone “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri”.

The Dewan Rakyat was then adjourned without any MP debating the Bill that was highly speculated to be voted on yesterday as it was part of the House’s order of business.

Opposition MPs were dissatisfied, with Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim taunting backbencher MPs.

“Debate it today if you are brave enough,” said Shahidan before Johari slammed the gavel.

“Cowards,” added Shahidan.

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An amendment to the Federal Constitution will require two-thirds’ support in the Dewan Rakyat. This means that 148 MPs would have to vote in favour of the Bill.

Earlier, when tabling the Bill for the second reading, Saifuddin said since his first day in office, he has looked into the decisions of 3,000 citizenship applications under Article 15(2) of the Constitution, which is related to cases of children born overseas to Malaysian mothers.

“I commit to resolve every application under Article 15A, which is foundlings or abandoned children, children born out of wedlock or adopted children.There were 14,000 pending (cases) on my desk.

“And I give MPs in this honourable House my commitment, for which I can be held accountable before Dec 31, 2024, we will decide on all 14,000 cases,” he added.

Saifuddin said the constitutional amendment cannot be delayed, given the influx of 3.5 million foreigners.

“The Home Minister would like to clarify that individuals who are not residents or Permanent Residents of this country are not Malaysian citizens, they still have the citizenship of their country of origin.

“Children of permanent residents born in Malaysia have the nationality of their parents. So, there is no issue of children of permanent residents being stateless,” said Saifuddin.

He said the amendments were made to improve the conferment of citizenships and not to breach human rights.

Before the Bill was tabled for the second reading, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim said he had sent a notice to Johari for it to be referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) before it is passed.

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Johari said he would consider the notice after the minister had tabled the Bill for the second reading.

Later, at a press conference, Perikatan Nasional chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan questioned the government’s seriousness in implementing the constitutional amendments on citizenship laws, as previous parliamentary sessions had lasted until 3am for crucial government matters.

“Maybe this happened because they did not fulfil certain requirements for the Constitutional amendments,” said Takiyuddin.

Any Bill amending part three, which includes citizenship, cannot be passed without the approval of the Conference of Rulers, he added.

“Is the government facing external or internal pressure?” he questioned.

Under Article 159, Clause 5, any Bill involving citizenship, which is part three of the constitution, must first obtain the consent of the Conference of Rulers.

The Dewan Rakyat will convene its next meeting on June 24.