KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Law Society has urged the Federal Government to reconsider the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution on citizenship.
Its president, Mohamed Nazim Maduarin, said the proposed amendments would be regressive for Sabah.
"These amendments, particularly the removal of automatic citizenship for children born to Malaysian permanent residents, would disproportionately affect various marginalised communities in Sabah.
"This includes both the communities in the interior regions and along the coastal areas, who are already struggling with access to essential services like education and healthcare.
"The diversity of communities across the state, each facing distinct challenges, must be respected and safeguarded.
"If the amendments proceed, these groups may face further disenfranchisement," he said in a statement.
Given these concerns, Mohamed Nazim added that any changes to the citizenship framework should not apply to Sabah to ensure the rights and dignity of Sabah's people.
Additionally, the possibility that these amendments could open doors for illegal immigrants is a significant concern.
While many members of parliament from Sabah have yet to take an official stand on the matter in Parliament, he said the society applauds and supports the recent position expressed by some leaders that the amendments should not apply to Sabah.
"The Sabah Law Society calls for comprehensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including those directly affected by statelessness, before any amendments proceed.
"Citizenship is a fundamental human right, and it is essential that the protections afforded by the Federal Constitution remain intact, especially for vulnerable communities in Sabah."