Amendments might increase number of stateless children

Deserving of education: A volunteer leading a teaching session for stateless children in Semporna, Sabah. — Filepic/The Star

THE Social and Economic Research Initiative (Seri) supports one of the amendments proposed in the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 that enables Malaysian mothers to bestow citizenship on their overseas-born, similar to the right accorded to Malaysian fathers.

However, Seri is concerned about the amendment of the Citizenship Bill and how it will affect the fate of abandoned children – especially in Sabah, where they are at high risk of becoming stateless in their homeland.