KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) today slammed the government's decision to amend certain provisions related to citizenship in the Federal Constitution, deeming them 'regressive'.
Former stateless man and Muda member Wong Kueng Hui said the government's proposal to amend Section 19B of the Federal Constitution, aimed at installing elements of control in granting citizenship, was an attempt to strip existing constitutional rights and assert their authority over the constitution.
"According to the minister (Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail), the aim of the amendment (of section 19B) is to ensure there is control to prevent granting citizenship to those who are not eligible.
"(However), the government already has the power and authority through Article 15(a) of the constitution where the government has the discretion to grant citizenship to children under the age of 21.
"Hence, what I am seeing is an attempt by the government to strip the existing rights under the constitution and assert their authority over the constitution," he said during the memorandum handover on the citizenship amendment near Parliament, today.
The memorandum was handed over to three lawmakers, namely Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar), Syerleena Abdul Rashid (Bukit Bendera) and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau).
Also present were Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) director Zaid Malek and representatives from PSM.
Last Friday, Saifuddin announced the Cabiner's green light for the proposed amendments to the constitution over citizenship to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
On Monday, he said the amendment was aimed to allow a degree of control to be established and to avoid granting citizenship to those who are not eligible.
At the same time, Wong said the amendment was not in line with the reformation agenda of the Madani government.
"These amendments will also harm existing stateless communities, including the Orang Asli, Indigenous Peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, and create a new class of statelessness that will remain trapped in bureaucratic limbo.
"This issue transcends partisan politics. It is about human rights and I also hope the government, especially the Sabah and Sarawak MPs will examine this citizenship issue more thoroughly before proceeding with these proposed amendments."
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters afterwards, Syed Saddiq also rejected the amendment in line with Muda's stance to decouple the bill.
He also urged the government to not take one step forward but take 10 steps backwards in the amendment proposal.
"To be frank, I do not understand the rationale of the government. Many of those in the government have also spoken about this when they were in opposition, ensuring mothers get the defence that they deserve so that they are treated as equal partners and citizens in this country.
"Hence, in this issue, we need to show compassion because it will not just affect thousands of people.
"This is an intergenerational issue and if a regressive constitutional amendment is made, from one gen to another, it means many will be affected and will not be given the humanity they deserve."