The government has been slammed for forging ahead with the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution related to citizenship today - which is, ironically, International Women’s Day.
Lawyer Latheefa Koya did not mince her words when she said that Putrajaya is to blame for "the worst outrage against women by pushing the bill depriving stateless children and babies of citizenship rights".
"It's Women's Day. But (to the) government leaders, spare us the usual routine speeches.
“It’s women and mothers who will suffer the worst from this (constitutional amendment) as you (the government) deprive their kids of any future,” she said in a post on X.
Latheefa (above), who was once MACC chief, urged women ministers to make their voices heard in the cabinet.
She also reminded the female ministers that their jobs and party lines are less important than the children’s welfare.
“Don’t be complicit in this. Do the right thing, don’t be indifferent monsters,” she said in a separate statement on X.
She tagged Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh; Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri; Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, as well as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said.
Latheefa’s response came after Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said the government has given its “full green light” to the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution related to citizenship.
This comes despite major backlash and pushback from various quarters, with some arguing that the proposed amendments will worsen conditions for those who are stateless.
‘Backward step’
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Calling it a “backward step”, the Bukit Gelugor MP said the proposal should be withdrawn or postponed.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. - Mkini
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