MCA Youth has applauded the government’s decision not to proceed with some proposed amendments, to the Federal Constitution relating to several provisions on citizenship, including those related to citizenship for stateless children, foundlings or abandoned children.

In a statement on Tuesday (March 26), MCA Youth Petaling Jaya chairperson Andy Teoh Tuck Wah said the decision by the Home Ministry demonstrates the importance of considering diverse perspectives in legislative processes.

However, he said despite the decision, concerns still linger over other proposed changes that may exacerbate statelessness and marginalised groups.

“A particularly concerning amendment involves Section 1(a) of Part II of the Second Schedule. This changes the process for children born to Malaysian Permanent Residents (PRs) who are themselves stateless,” Teoh stated.

“Under this amendment, these children would lose automatic citizenship; thus, we risk condemning vulnerable communities like the Orang Asli and Orang Asal to a cycle of statelessness across generations, denying them their rightful place as Malaysian residents.”

Teoh further cited another amendment that seeks to amend Article 15A, which would reduce the age limit from 21 to 18 years old for the purpose of citizenship registration.

He said this change could potentially close off pathways for stateless children to gain nationality amidst bureaucratic delays and appeals, which could take years to process.

“By reducing the age limit, stateless child applicants may face heightened challenges in obtaining citizenship, further perpetuating their statelessness and leaving them vulnerable to various forms of exploitation and marginalisation,” he reckoned.

Teoh said as the country navigates citizenship law amendments, it is crucial to strike a delicate balance between progress and protection.

“Moving forward, we urge the government to collaborate closely with NGOs and civil society organisations, such as SUHAKAM and the Malaysian Bar Council, to address the concerns raised regarding the proposed amendments,” he remarked.

“By working together, policymakers must develop solutions that prioritise the rights and dignity of all individuals, united, if nothing else, in the shared vision of fostering a society founded on inclusivity and mutual respect.”

Yesterday Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that his ministry will proceed to table the amendments to Section 1(a) and Section 2(3) of the citizenship law despite criticism from various quarters.

Saifuddin said the non-governmental organisations who had criticised the amendments should find a middle ground with the government to resolve citizenship issues.

“We wanted to table eight amendments and now we will proceed with seven after dropping one. I feel like the same spirit should be held by the NGOs where we try to find a middle ground,” he remarked.

Last week, the government dropped two proposed amendments to the constitution on the citizenship of foundlings.

The two proposed amendments that will be dropped are 19B Part III of the Second Schedule and Section 1(e) Part I. - March 26, 2024 

https://focusmalaysia.my/reconsider-approach-to-the-proposed-citizenship-amendments-govt-told/