KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail clarified that the proposal for amending the Federal Constitution involving citizenship was made collectively by the government, and not solely by him.
He said the decision-making process follows the protocol for any Federal Constitution amendment.
"It is not Saifuddin Nasution's (decision), but the Home Ministry and the government's decision.
"Therefore, I presented a paper to the cabinet for policy approval. In the Federal Constitution, when it comes to amending matters related to citizenship, certain principles must be adhered to," he told Utusan Malaysia in an exclusive interview.
He said these principles include obtaining approval from the Conference of Rulers and the consent of the Sabah and Sarawak governments.
However, Saifuddin said they were granted permission to proceed with the amendment only under certain conditions specified by the rulers.
"Firstly, there must be elements of control. Additionally, citizenship should never be granted to those who are not entitled, and thirdly, for this amendment to be made by the government, a comprehensive study must be conducted."
On March 8, Saifuddin announced that the cabinet had given the green light for the proposal over the Federal Constitution amendment involving citizenship to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat.
He said the ministry would also submit a request to the Dewan Rakyat's secretary for the amendment to be included in the House proceedings this year.
Saifuddin faced backlash following the proposed constitutional amendments, with critics labelling him as "unfit" for the position of home minister.
On a related matter, Saifuddin added that several new provisions would be included, particularly concerning registration.
He said the government has proposed granting citizenship to foundlings through registration.
"If someone discovers or becomes aware of a birth under the Birth Registration Act, they must report to the police, take the child to the hospital, and then report to the Welfare Department.
"Once all these steps are completed, the National Registration Department (NRD) can issue citizenship documentation for the child."
However, Saifuddin clarified that if the child does not have an umbilical cord, they are not considered abandoned.
In cases where the child is between the ages of 10 and 11, authorities will process the case under Article 15(A) of the Federal Constitution.
This implies that cases involving children processed through citizenship registration applications primarily concern adopted children, illegitimate children, and children under care.