A backbencher has claimed that unhappiness over proposed constitutional amendments in granting citizenship could see some MPs voting against their party’s line.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee warned that several backbenchers may go against their party’s whip if the Home Ministry does not adopt a “decoupled” approach to the proposed amendments.
“Reading from just the room consisting of just our own guys (government MPs), (it) sent clear signals that the proposed amendments, if (the bill) hit the floor (Dewan Rakyat) without ‘decoupling’, there will be some who are compelled to break whip in order not to break conscience.
“Think about it,” Lee said in a posting.
Lee did not specify the proposed amendments he was referring to and has since refused to comment further.
However, a source privy to the matter told Malaysiakini that Lee was citing the eight proposals to amend relevant provisions under the Federal Constitution for granting citizenship.
According to the source, the decoupled measure suggested by Lee is to separate the “positive rights amendments from the negative rights
“Decoupling referred to by Lee here is likely to be the grouping of amendments seen to be giving positive rights such as widening conferment rights to mothers too, and negative rights such as limiting and restricting by including additional conditions,” the source said.
Despite backlash and pushback from various quarters - with some arguing that the proposed amendments will worsen conditions for stateless people – Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is expected to retain and table the proposed constitutional amendment in the current Dewan Rakyat sitting.
With a constitutional amendment, a two-thirds majority is required by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration for the bill to be approved.
Dissatisfied MPs
Meanwhile, several DAP MPs admitted there has been discontent within government ranks.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan told Malaysiakini that there are concerns among the government lawmakers that the proposed amendments have gone beyond what was agreed upon in the Pakatan Harapan manifesto.
However, Syahredzan said he would have to see the proposed bill and hear from the Home Ministry first before commenting further.
“From what we heard and presented by NGOs, it has gone beyond that and it will be regressive.
“But it (the bill) has not been officially presented to us, I would want to wait first before officially saying that I’ll support it or not,” he said.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok also shared similar sentiments, saying MPs from the government bloc wish to have further discussions with Saifuddin.
“It is true, the government MPs are uncomfortable with the proposed amendments,” she responded to Malaysiakini.
Sharing similar sentiments as Syahredzan and Teresa was Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, who said: “We are working hard to engage with the Home Ministry to reflect the view of our constituents”.
Reasons for amendments
Meanwhile, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said that all DAP MPs will have a meeting on Monday (Nov 6) night at the party headquarters to specifically discuss the proposed amendments.
Lim told Malaysiakini that DAP lawmakers are in the midst of studying the positives as well as the weaknesses of the proposed amendments.
“I’m not entirely happy with the proposed amendments, some articles published by Malaysiakini on views by NGOs and activists... Some of their criticisms are valid, but not all of them.
“I want to know the true intention of the amendments.
“Maybe they (the Home Ministry and minister) have their own reasons for doing that. I have to understand more before I can comment,” Lim said.
With the backing of two PN MPs - Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid and Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman - Anwar now has the support of 149 MPs, just over two-thirds, and will be able to amend the Federal Constitution.
However, should Lee’s forewarning become reality and there are MPs who go against their party’s whip, the amendment bill will not be passed and must be re-tabled at another time.
On Wednesday, when Saifuddin was delivering the winding-up speech of his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat, Lee queried if the Home Ministry has the intention to adopt a decoupled approach to the proposed amendments and focus only on amendments that are sure to be able to garner support from parliamentarians.
He cited objections from critics and civil societies towards the heavily criticised proposed amendments.
The eight proposals include a “sensitive” proposal over granting citizenship to stateless children and foundlings - an infant abandoned by their parents and discovered and cared for by others.
The proposed amendment, among others, is to amend the Second Schedule, Part II Section 1(e) that grants every stateless person born in Malaysia citizenship by operation of law as well as Second Schedule, Part III, Section 19(b) which grants abandoned children citizenship by operation of law. - Mkini
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