Cabinet greenlights proposed citizenship amendments

 

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the cabinet has agreed to the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution related to citizenship.

“I tabled it (the proposed amendments) today and the cabinet gave its ‘full green light’.

“We will continue with the processes such as holding sessions and engagements to explain (the proposed amendments) with the media, individuals, civil society groups and MPs,” he told reporters in Putrajaya this afternoon.

The minister expressed hope that the amendments can be passed this year.

Earlier this week, DAP lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh told the Dewan Rakyat that the proposed amendments, especially regarding foundlings, are both “illogical and unreasonable”.

Calling it a “backward step”, the Bukit Gelugor MP said the proposal should be withdrawn or postponed.

Pointing out that the proposal denied foundlings automatic citizenship and would subject them to an uncertain and protracted bureaucratic registration process, he said the move contradicted the Pakatan Harapan-led coalition government’s aim to improve and reform laws.

Last month, the Home Ministry said it would table to the cabinet a proposal to amend provisions related to citizenship rights of children born overseas to Malaysian mothers married to foreigners.

The proposal amends Article 14(1)(b) by inserting the word “mother” to enable Malaysian women to confer Malaysian citizenship to their overseas-born children.

The draft was amended after several engagement sessions, including with individuals with expertise in the Constitution, social activists, Suhakam and youth activists.

Approval rate at 98 percent

Saifuddin rejected claims by activists that there were other proposed regressive amendments.

He cited statistics on foundling baby cases - the term used for babies abandoned by their biological parents and cared for by others.

“Under the Federal Constitution, Article 19B - it means that when a child (an infant or baby) is found or is a foundling, the person who finds them must report it.

“Then, a report is prepared for the Social Welfare Department, the police and the hospital. And the child can register for citizenship by operation of law,” he added.

Saifuddin said out of 149,000 applications for citizenship, only 49,000 have yet to be approved.

As for applications under Article 15A related to children born out of wedlock or adopted children, there were 59,000 applications, with 14,000 remaining.

“Approval for each application is about 98 percent. So where are they being denied citizenship?

“The remaining 14,000 applications under Article 15A will also be resolved within nine months before Dec 31 this year. So where are we closing the space for becoming a citizen?” he asked. - Mkini