KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional's (PN) support for the Federal Constitution amendments on citizenship in Parliament yesterday proved that the coalition practiced responsible, mature and credible politics in defending national interests.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said their support for the bill also aligned with PN's manifesto, which aimed to grant citizenship rights by law to overseas-born children of Malaysian mothers.
In a post on Facebook, Hamzah, who is Larut member of parliament and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president, said citizenship is the highest award granted by any country.
He said the policy for granting citizenship status must be made strictly, meticulously, and carefully to preserve Malaysia's sovereignty.
"Yesterday, PN supported the Federal Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2024 on citizenship after being satisfied with several amendments, thus meeting the requirements of Conference of Rulers, particularly concerning the strengthened control mechanisms.
"However, several constructive criticisms have been voiced out by PN members of parliament to ensure the control mechanism is being enforced as best as possible by the government.
"This clearly demonstrates that PN is not just an opposition party, but is mature and magnanimous in defending the sovereignty and interests of the country," he added.
The bill was passed in Parliament yesterday in a bloc vote with 206 MPs voting for, only one MP voting against, and 14 were absent.