Regressive constitutional amendments to citizenship provisions for stateless children should be eradicated, says Negeri Sembilan’s Tunku Zain
KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Regressive constitutional amendments that would only lead to a further exacerbation of the issue of statelessness among children should be done away with completely, a member of the Negri Sembilan royal family said today.
Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz said the proposed amendments — specifically the removal of Section 1(e) of Part II in the Second Schedule of the Federal Constitution — was an example of how policies were not well thought out.
“My colleagues and I advocating for children’s and refugee rights are pleased with the promised amendment to allow citizenship for children born overseas to Malaysian mothers married to non-Malaysian fathers.
“However, we were profoundly disappointed by other amendments that could severely exacerbate the issue of statelessness among children.
“After pressure from civil society, former ministers and now even among the Cabinet, I am hopeful that this appalling proposal is eradicated so that Malaysia can uphold its responsibilities according to the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child which the Government ratified in 1995,” he said in his speech at the International Malaysia Law Conference 2023 here.
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