Saifuddin must resign for not allowing citizenship amendment debate, says Takiyuddin

 

PN’s Takiyuddin Hassan (left) took issue with home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s reasoning that MPs needed ‘more space’ to debate the bill at the next meeting of Parliament.

PETALING JAYA: Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s reason given for the postponed debate on the citizenship amendment bill is dishonest, weak, and a scheme to cover up the government’s flaws, says Perikatan Nasional chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan.

Takiyuddin called for Saifuddin’s resignation, saying the government had acted “recklessly and dishonestly”, and had misused the Standing Orders without a valid reason or explanation.

He took issue with Saifuddin’s reasoning that MPs needed “more space” to debate the bill at the next meeting of Parliament because the constitutional amendment needs the support of two-thirds of the MPs.

Instead, he said, the government was afraid of insufficient support if the debate had continued and was voted on according to schedule.

“An inspection of Parliament’s attendance list on March 27 found that 211 registered MPs were present, while 11 MPs were absent, nine of whom were government MPs.

“This made the number of government MPs present only 145 (including six MPs originally from PN), three fewer than the 148 required to approve the constitutional amendment.

“(This) is even more apparent given that a random count during the second reading found the number of government MPs was fewer than 145, as the first deputy prime minister and several ministers did not appear to be in the Dewan at the time, despite having been present in the morning,” he said in a statement.

“The relevant ministers then came up with flimsy and contrived excuses to save the situation and cover up the government’s weaknesses and failures.

“Therefore, PN strongly urges the government to be more dignified and honest in this matter,” he said.

He called on the government to table the bill again at the next Parliament meeting after reobtaining approval from the Council of Rulers.

Saifuddin had tabled the citizenship amendment bill on Wednesday, but the Dewan Rakyat was adjourned sine die before it could be debated.

He said the upcoming meeting slated for June 24 to July 18 will allow all MPs to take part and discuss the proposed changes in depth.

The amendments aim to tighten citizenship criteria while considering security and humanitarian aspects.

The proposed changes include seven amendments, three new provisions and three repeals addressing national security and sovereignty. - FMT