Revisit citizenship bill to address overseas-born, stateless kids

 

Activists say stateless children have been left high and dry by the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA: An NGO advocating equal citizenship rights has called on the government to use the current parliamentary recess to address concerns about proposed constitutional amendments concerning citizenship.

Family Frontiers, which champions equal citizenship rights for Malaysian binational families, wants Putrajaya to revisit the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 and work towards effective remedies.

It also wants the government to ensure that children from vulnerable groups are adequately protected.

The call came after the first Dewan Rakyat session of the year ended on Wednesday with speaker Johari Abdul abruptly bringing the session to a close shortly after the government tabled the bill.

The Dewan Rakyat will convene again from June 24 to July 18.

Suri Kempe, an executive committee member of the NGO, told FMT the amendments must allow children born overseas to Malaysian mothers the same rights as those born to fathers who are citizens.

“This progressive amendment will mark a milestone in Malaysian history,” she said.

Kempe also said because the amendments are not intended to apply retroactively, stateless children currently trying to obtain citizenship will not benefit from them.

“Additionally, the bill has some weaknesses, such as (for) children born to Orang Asli and Orang Asal parents who are permanent residents but not citizens due to a lack of documentation.

“Family Frontiers hopes the government will take the opportunity to address these concerns and work towards ensuring that vulnerable children are protected,” she said.

Meanwhile, Lawyers for Liberty adviser N Surendran said he was not disappointed by Wednesday’s outcome.

“That bill, as it stood, was not fit to pass. It would not have benefited children already born to Malaysian mothers overseas because Clause 12 states the law would only apply to children not yet born.

“I am disappointed that a proper bill, which would have granted citizenship to all existing and unborn children, was not passed,” he said.

If passed in its present form, the effect of Clause 12(1) would be that only children born overseas to Malaysian mothers after the amendments become law will be entitled to automatic citizenship.

Surendran also said although hopes were raised initially, “stateless children have been left high and dry”.

“It is the most egregious blunder by the home ministry and the government,” he said. - FMT