Withdraw or postpone citizenship amendments pending study, says MP

 

Last year, the government proposed eight amendments to citizenship provisions in the Federal Constitution, which included the granting of citizenship to stateless children and foundlings. (Putri Purnama Sugua pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s proposal to amend the Federal Constitution on the granting of citizenship, especially regarding foundlings, is both illogical and unreasonable, said Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor).

The former deputy law and institutional reform minister said the proposal would deny foundlings automatic citizenship if approved, forcing them into a lengthy and uncertain bureaucratic registration process.

“Isn’t this a regressive step that contradicts the government’s desire to improve or reform the laws, and the government’s promise to reduce the country’s rate of statelessness?

“On the contrary, wouldn’t this policy increase the country’s rate of statelessness, which directly contradicts the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ goal to reduce statelessness?” he asked in the Dewan Rakyat.

In debating the royal address, Ramkarpal called for the proposal to be withdrawn or at least postponed for further study.

Noting rumours of high foundling rates in Sabah and Sarawak, he asked: “Has the government conducted studies to see if the proposed amendment will address the foundling issue in these states?

“Will this amendment prevent baby dumping cases in these states? Has the government ever conducted a study on this matter? If yes, I urge the ministry to disclose the findings of such a study in their response,” he said.

Last year, the government proposed eight amendments to citizenship provisions in the Federal Constitution, which included the granting of citizenship to stateless children and foundlings.

The amendment in question aims to alter the Second Schedule, Part II, Section 1(e) of the constitution, which currently ensures citizenship for every stateless person born in Malaysia by operation of law.

It also seeks to amend the Second Schedule, Part III, Section 19(b), related to the citizenship provisions for abandoned children. - FMT