KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — Home Minister Senator Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail should provide full transparency on the proposed constitutional amendments affecting Malaysian citizenship, an advocacy group said today.
The Malaysian Citizenship Rights Alliance (MCRA) said it was “extremely concerned” that minister’s latest remarks on the issue might not accurately reflect the contents of the Bill.
“As citizens of this country, it is essential for all of us to be fully informed in advance about any changes to the Bill, as any attempt to remove or restrict existing citizenship rights in the Federal Constitution will have far reaching consequences,” it said in a statement.
On July 19, the minister said the Conference of Rulers has given its consent to the proposed amendments, but with refinements made in consultation with the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).
The Bill had been scheduled to be tabled for a second reading in the just concluded parliamentary meeting, but was withdrawn at the last minute for review.
