KUALA LUMPUR: Student activists are urging the rejection of proposed constitutional amendments concerning citizenship matters.
The Student Secretariat, in a statement, said it would further complicate the citizenship application process for affected individuals.
It feared if passed, it would lead to an increase in the number of stateless individuals across Malaysia, cutting across racial, ethnic, and religious lines.
The student movements emphasised the impact on the nation's children, regardless of their background.
"We, the student movements, firmly believe that it is entirely inappropriate for the government to proceed with the amendments opposed by the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the civil society organisations (CSOs), including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and the Malaysian Bar Council," it said.
The Student Secretariat is calling on all members of Parliament, especially those in the government bloc, to reject the amendments, which they describe as regressive and harmful.
In a bid to amplify their message, the secretariat plans to email all MPs to seek their support in opposing the amendments.
They warn of more aggressive actions if their concerns are not addressed, emphasising the need to safeguard the future and well-being of vulnerable groups affected by the proposed changes.
The proposed amendments, announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on March 8, 2024, aim to address citizenship issues in Malaysia.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1023002/amendment-citizenship...
According to Tawau MP Datuk Lo Su Fui, Malaysia is estimated to have 500,000 stateless residents who are denied fundamental human rights, including education, work, and freedom of movement.
These amendments are particularly concerning for four vulnerable groups: abandoned babies, stateless individuals, children of permanent residents born in Malaysia without citizenship, and foreign wives who have been naturalized and are exposed to domestic violence, leaving them trapped in a cycle of statelessness.