Picture Credit: dailyexpress.com.my
The possibility exists that the amendments may open the doors for illegal immigrants.
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor chaired a pre-council meeting with Sabah MPs to discuss a constitutional amendment on citizenship laws which will be up for second and third readings in an upcoming parliamentary sitting.
The Chief Minister and the eight MPs were briefed by the Home Ministry's Registration Department and Organisation Division Deputy Undersecretary, Mimmi Suriati Mat Khalid, on the matter at Sri Gaya, here, Friday, according to a statement.
The MPs present were Datuk Seri Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau), Datuk Armizan Ali (Papar), Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (Putatan), Datuk Jonathan Yassin (Ranau), Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Kalabakan), Datuk Matbali Musa (Sipitang), Datuk Lo Su Fui (Tawau) and Riduan Rubin (Tenom).
State Attorney-General Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh was also present.
Sabah Law Society has urged the Federal Government to reconsider the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution on citizenship.
Picture Credit: nst.com.my
Its president, Mohamed Nazim Maduarin, said the proposed amendments would be regressive for Sabah.
"These amendments, particularly the removal of automatic citizenship for children born to Malaysian permanent residents, would disproportionately affect various marginalised communities in Sabah.
"This includes both the communities in the interior regions and along the coastal areas, who are already struggling with access to essential services like education and healthcare.
The diversity of communities across the state, each facing distinct challenges, must be respected and safeguarded.
"If the amendments proceed, these groups may face further disenfranchisement," he said in a statement.
Given these concerns, Mohamed Nazim added that any changes to the citizenship framework should not apply to Sabah to ensure the rights and dignity of Sabah's people.
Additionally, the possibility that these amendments could open doors for illegal immigrants is a significant concern.
While many members of parliament from Sabah have yet to take an official stand on the matter in Parliament, he said the society applauds and supports the recent position expressed by some leaders that the amendments should not apply to Sabah.
"The Sabah Law Society calls for comprehensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including those directly affected by statelessness, before any amendments proceed.
"Citizenship is a fundamental human right, and it is essential that the protections afforded by the Federal Constitution remain intact, especially for vulnerable communities in Sabah."
The Articles appeared here . . .
https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/243651/hajiji-sabah-mps-discuss-citizenship-laws-amendment/
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/1117767/sabah-law-society-urges-rethink-citizenship-law-amendments
Editor's Note . . .
It can be argued that the truth on the citizenship amendments, based on personal experience and personal testimonies, was somewhere between two extremes.
Parliament makes laws but only the court can declare them. The court declares law based on interpretation of the intention of the framers of the Constitution and interpretation of the intention of Parliament.
Declarations are not remedies.
In law, if there are rights, there must be remedies.
Remedies arise from the court ruling on decisions taken by parties in dispute on issues in conflict. Declarations can be used as Advisory Opinion for new case laws.
There can be no law against applying for citizenship.
It's the AI at JPN (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara) that decides.
Eventually, whether eligible or otherwise, anyone can get citizenship provided there has been Appeal at least four times on dukacita. Then dukacita will become sukacita.
Never re-apply. Always Appeal against rejection.
