Leaders of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) have once again voiced their objections to the government’s hurried push for amendments to Malaysia’s citizenship law, denouncing the move as regressive. Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, former president of Muda, expressed concern that the proposed amendments would lead to intergenerational suffering, particularly affecting children awaiting Malaysian citizenship.
Syed Saddiq emphasised the need for compassion, stating that the amendments could impact tens of thousands of individuals across generations.
He criticised the government’s rationale, pointing out the contradiction between their current stance and their previous advocacy for equal citizenship rights. He stressed that vulnerable individuals should not be subject to political considerations.
“To be frank and honest, I do not understand the rationale of the government because many of those in government today have spoken out on this matter when they were in Opposition, on ensuring mothers get the defence which they deserve, and that they are treated as equal partners and citizens in this country, but at the same time to ensure that foundlings’ issue of statelessness will not suddenly be a regressive path while we take one step forward.
On this issue, we need to show compassion, because in the end, it will not just affect thousands of people. This is an intergenerational issue and if the regressive constitutional amendments are made, it means that from this generation to another, tens of thousands will be affected and will not be given the humanity they deserve. So I will reject it,” he told the media.
Article 15A of the Federal Constitution currently provides the government special powers to register persons under 21 years of age as citizens while Section 19B from part three of the Second Schedule obliges the government to confer citizenship automatically to foundlings.
The proposed amendments aim to change the process of conferring citizenship, introducing an age limit and ministerial approval requirement.
This change would affect various groups, including foreign-born children of Malaysian women with non-citizen husbands, stateless children adopted by Malaysian parents, and foundlings.
Civil society groups have raised objections to the amendments, highlighting their potential impact on vulnerable populations.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has been briefing federal lawmakers on the proposed amendments and aims to garner sufficient support for their passage through Parliament.
However, MPs such as Hassan Abdul Karim and Ramkarpal Singh have also expressed concerns about the amendments, particularly regarding their impact on foundlings and abandoned children.
