PETALING JAYA: Sixty-three organisations have urged all MPs from Sabah to vote against proposed amendments to citizenship laws expected to be brought to the Dewan Rakyat next month.
The societies also urged the federal government to hear from Sabah MPs, assemblymen, civil society, and others before proceeding with the amendments.
Among the amendments is a proposal to remove automatic citizenship for children born to Malaysian permanent residents which the 63 societies said would worsen matters for stateless people in Sabah, and hinder their access to education, health services and employment.
The groups said the government had not sought their views despite their extensive knowledge and experience from dealing directly with people and families who would be negatively affected by the amendments.
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The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024, tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on March 25, would also grant overseas-born children of Malaysian women citizenship and lower the age limit to apply for citizenship by registration from 21 to 18.
In July, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said there were still some matters that needed to be refined despite receiving positive feedback from the Conference of Rulers.
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