INTERVIEW | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was behind the cabinet’s decision to drop a controversial constitutional amendment proposed by the Home Ministry last month, which would deny automatic citizenship to foundling babies.
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said this in an interview with Malaysiakini last week.
He said it was Anwar's intervention that led to the government cancelling the plan, which was heavily criticised by civil society movements.
"... I recognise that some or many civil societies are still unhappy with certain parts but at the end of the day, you know, some of the controversial amendments with regard to foundlings and whatnot were removed at the last minute.
"And that was the prime minister's intervention," the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister said during the interview, which was held in conjunction with PKR’s 25th anniversary that fell on April 4.
He was asked about activists being unhappy with the government after it initially agreed to table the Home Ministry's proposal to amend the Federal Constitution, which included a part that would affect the right to grant citizenship to foundlings.
The cabinet, however, decided against it at the last minute on March 22, just days before Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail tabled the amended version of the proposal on March 27.
Reforms vs political dynamics
During the earlier part of the interview, Nik Nazmi spoke about the frustration of civil society movements in regard to the government dragging its feet on implementing institutional reforms as promised by Pakatan Harapan.
Saying that he understands the demands and impatience of civil society to see the reforms happening, the PKR vice-president stressed they must understand the political dynamics of the current government.
While the Anwar-led administration has a two-thirds majority in the Parliament, Nik Nazmi said the numbers are pieced together among parties that form the unity government.
"So, you know, we have to listen to all sides as we navigate. People say, yeah, you have two-thirds, but this is not the same.
"The last two-thirds in 2004 is not the same. That was BN's two-thirds.
"This is a two-thirds that came about after the election - when BN, Harapan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) which fought against each other in the 15th general election came together.
"So, it's a bit different than the traditional two-thirds that we had before. So, that is something that we have to bear in mind," he said.
It is to note that the coalition government has 147 MPs, just one short of a two-thirds majority.
However, at least six Bersatu MPs have pledged allegiance to Anwar, which would, in theory, seem to give the prime minister more than a two-thirds majority.
Muda MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had also indicated he would support constitutional amendments that are deemed progressive.
On that note, Nik Nazmi said that when it comes to major constitutional changes, the government has to gather feedback from all stakeholders.
“This includes the Conference of Rulers,” he added. - Mkini
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