PKR Women information chief Noraini Nordin hails the decision by the Home Ministry (KDN) not to amend the Federal Constitution regarding citizenship for stranded and stateless children.
In an article published on the Suara Keadilan portal, she said this proves that the Madani government is always attentive to the voice of the people.
“The KDN’s stance shows that the government always listens to the voice of the people regarding the proposed amendment. This means that the government always wants to be with the people in whatever decision it takes.
“Although initially the Home Ministry felt that the amendment needed to be done for the good of the country, since more people voiced their disagreement, the ministry finally agreed to withdraw the proposed amendment,” she said.
Last week, the government abandoned its controversial plan to strip foundlings and stateless children born in the country of automatic citizenship following a cabinet decision.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government would not pursue two of the eight proposed constitutional amendments to change the provisions that will affect foundlings, abandoned babies and orphans.
Saifuddin added that the decision was made based on the views of various parties received through engagement sessions held by the ministry.
He pointed out that among the parties involved in the engagement sessions were MPs, representatives of political parties, legal experts, representatives of state-level agencies as well as non-governmental organisations, or NGOs.
Meanwhile, the PKR information chief also hailed the ministry for the remaining amendments that will be tabled before Parliament, especially regarding children born abroad to Malaysian mothers.
“This amendment is something that reflects justice because so far only fathers of Malaysian citizens have the right to lower the status of their children born abroad.
“Kudos to the government for this amendment that gives equal rights to women and men,” she noted. – March 24, 2024
