Ambiga disappointed with PH over citizenship amendment: 'We did not sign up for this'

SHAH ALAM - While many celebrate the win for mothers after the passing of an amendment allowing Malaysian women to confer citizenship to their overseas-born children automatically, concerns linger for vulnerable children left behind.

Prominent lawyer and activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan expressed disappointment with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government over the citizenship law amendments recently approved by the Dewan Rakyat.

"What a crying shame. Happy for the mums whose children are born overseas but so so sad for those poor vulnerable children. We did not sign up for this PH," the former Malaysian Bar president wrote in a post on X.

Yesterday, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 which, among other things, granted citizenship rights to children born abroad to Malaysian mothers.

The Bill was approved with more than a two-thirds majority, receiving support from 206 Members of Parliament (MPs) in a bloc vote during its second and third readings.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said one MP did not support the bill, 14 were absent and one did not vote due to suspension.

He said the bloc voting was conducted in accordance with Article 159 of the Federal Constitution, which stipulates that amendments to the Constitution at the second and third readings required no less than a two-thirds majority of the total number of MPs.

Under the existing law, children born outside the Federation could only acquire Malaysian citizenship by operation of law if the father is a citizen.

The amendments also aimed to lower the age limit for applying for citizenship from 21 years to 18 years.