Automatic citizenship to overseas-born children of Malaysian mothers to be tabled in Parliament in September
NAZRIN ZULKAFLI NURHIDAYAH HAIROM
KUALA LUMPUR - Amendments to the Federal Constitution which enable children borne by Malaysian women with foreign spouses to be given automatic citizenship are expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in September.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the technical and Cabinet committees overseeing the matter needed six months to conclude studies and propose decisions on the proposed amendments.
He said since both committees were formed on Feb 17, internal discussions had to be done before it is brought to the Cabinet.
"We expect they would require six months meaning September will be when it's tabled.
"The process is that the technical committee will bring it to the Cabinet committee, then the Cabinet and if all goes well we will present it to the Council of Rulers.
"This is due to the constitution requiring that matters involving amendments regarding citizens must be presented and approved by the Council of Rulers," he said in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.
He was answering Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong's (BN-Ayer Hitam) question on when the constitutional amendments could be made to enable those born overseas by Malaysian women marrying foreigners to be given citizenship automatically.
Saifuddin said the ministry intends to table the matters to all MPs and have a debate session with all parties involved.
"This is not only the technical committee but the Cabinet committee and also those important parties.
"I am optimistic that this matter will be perfected according to schedule," he said.
He stressed on the matters relating to the law not recognising dual citizenship as one of the matters that must be harmonised in by implementing this amendment.
