Constitutional amendment on citizenship to be presented to Conference of Rulers, says Azalina

SHAH ALAM - The proposed amendment to Part III of the Federal Constitution on Malaysian citizenship for children born abroad to Malaysian parents will be presented to the Conference of Rulers after the state polls.

Law minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the government is in the process of preparing a comprehensive document that includes the proposed amendments and public feedback, which will be submitted to the Conference of Rulers for consideration.

She said the eight proposed amendments were identified after considering the results of the analysis of the study, consultations with stakeholders, comparisons with other nations' laws and debates at the Cabinet Committee Meeting.

The Technical Committee for the Amendment of Section III on Citizenship of the Federal Constitution was among them.

"The government has heard and taken the views, suggestions and feedback from the public and NGOs as well as Malaysia Children's Commissioner, Human Rights Commission (Suhakam)," she said in a statement, today.

The Pengerang MP further said any suggestion on the amendment of Part III of the Federal Constitution relating to citizenship must gain the approval of the Conference of Rulers in line with the provisions of Article 159 (5) of the Federal Constitution.

According to Article 161E(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, Azalina said amendments needed the agreement of the Sabah and Sarawak Governor have to approve to the amendment proposal.

"It is related to the amendment that addresses the right of those born before Malaysia Day to become citizens because of their ties to the states of Sabah and Sarawak as well as the gurantee of equal treatment between those born in Borneo and those born in Malay states."

She added the government wants to give assurances that women and Malaysians will be able to gain citizenship for their children born outside the country under the Federal Constitution.