KUALA LUMPUR: Eight proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution on the citizenship issues of children born to Malaysian mothers abroad are set to be presented at the Conference of Rulers for consent, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said the unity government is preparing the documents that cover all proposed amendments from the government taking into account the views of Malaysians.
"It will be presented at the Conference of Rulers for consent which will be held after the coming six state elections.
"There are eight proposed amendments to Part III of the Federal Constitution regarding citizenship matters as well as the views of Malaysians.
"The unity government takes note of all views, suggestions and feedback received from the people and non-governmental and civil society organisations as well as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia in relation to the eight proposed amendments.
"The amendments to the entire Part III of the Federal Constitution together with the First Schedule and the Second Schedule of the Federal Constitution covers the issue of children's citizenship who were born abroad to a mother who is a Malaysian citizen," she said in a statement on Wednesday (July 12).
Azalina said the eight proposed amendments have been identified based on findings through research analysis, engagement sessions, comparative studies of other countries' legislation as well as discussions in Cabinet committee meetings and the technical committee for the amendments to Part III of the Federal Constitution regarding citizenship matters.
"Any proposed amendment to Part III of the Federal Constitution related to citizenship matters must be approved by the Conference of Rulers in accordance with the provisions of Article 159(5) of the Federal Constitution.
"This proposed amendments to Part III of the Federal Constitution further requires the approval of the Sabah and Sarawak leaders in accordance with Article 161E(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution in amendments that affect the rights of people born before Malaysia Day to become citizens as well.”
On Monday (July 10), it was reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said amendments to the law will be tabled in Parliament in September to resolve the citizenship issue of children born to Malaysian mothers abroad.
"We will be tabling amendments to the Federal Constitution to replace the words 'whose father' in Part I and Part II of the Second Schedule with the words ‘at least one of the parents’. The matter would be brought to the Conference of Rulers for consent which is required if constitutional amendments are to be made.
"I believe the proposal will be given support and it will be done soon by this month. We will then table it during the Parliament meeting in September," he said.
