KOTA KINABALU: A coalition of 66 civil society organisations, activists and individuals in Sabah is urging the Government to disclose the number of stateless individuals among Malaysian families and develop evidence-based solutions rather than implementing quick fixes that may prove ineffective.
The group expressed deep concern over certain amendments in the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024, set to be debated and voted on between Oct 14 and 15.
They claim the Government has not consulted with stakeholders who have extensive knowledge of the issues facing individuals and families affected by these amendments.
The coalition highlighted two particular amendments that they believe will exacerbate statelessness in Sabah, namely, an amendment to Section 1(a) removing the constitutional right of children born to permanent residents in Malaysia to automatic citizenship and a proposal to reduce the age limit for citizenship application from 21 to 18 years.
They argue these changes will increase the number of people needing to apply for citizenship while reducing the time available to do so, without addressing issues in the application process itself.
The group emphasised the unique challenges faced by Sabah, where many residents have been granted permanent resident status instead of full citizenship, leading to intergenerational statelessness.
They called for Sabah MPs to vote against amending Section 1(a) and the provision to reduce the age limit.
While supporting the amendment granting Malaysian women the right to confer citizenship to their overseas-born children, the coalition urged the Government to halt and remove the “harmful regressive amendments” that they believe will worsen the statelessness crisis in Sabah.
They call for better solutions that address the root causes of statelessness in Sabah, based on accurate data and evidence, rather than quick fixes that may ultimately fail those they aim to help.
