M'sian Bar condemns 'regressive' proposed citizenship changes

The Malaysian Bar has strongly condemned Putrajaya on its proposed “regressive” amendments to the Federal Constitution related to citizenship.

Newly minted Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said a motion on the matter was unanimously passed in its 78th annual general meeting (AGM) today.

Speaking at a press conference following the AGM, Ezri said the controversial proposed amendments would constitute an alarming erosion of rights and pose an imminent threat to an already vulnerable segment of the stateless community.

“The Bar will set up a special committee (to monitor issues on) statelessness,” he added.

Freshly elected Bar vice-president B Anand Raj said the council will participate in all necessary court proceedings to eliminate Malaysia’s “shameful” legacy of stateless persons.

“The motion speaks for itself. We always, after the AGM, send the resolution to the government.

“The court challenge, if required, will come later,” he told reporters.

Asked if the Bar has presented its view on the matter, Anand explained that the council is constantly providing comments to the government and there are numerous court cases related to statelessness.

“We will see which ones we need to get involved in.

“We have also been involved in some of these cases as watching briefs and as amicus curiae (friend of the court) and we will continue to do that in addition to crystallising this motion, which has been passed,” he said.

Helping stateless children

Further, the Bar has called on the government to establish an independent Ombudsman Office to investigate stateless children to ensure they do not remain stateless and fast-track citizenship applications to not more than nine months.

“The Malaysian Bar also demands the government to increase transparency surrounding the path to citizenship; include general timelines for the process; circulate better and more precise information surrounding the path to citizenship and for the overall improvement of the citizenship application process.

“Or appoint a chief commissioner for stateless people within Suhakam through necessary amendments to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 to carry out the above-mentioned functions.

“Previously, a chief children commissioner and two children commissioners were appointed to deal with human rights matters relating to children,” the council said.

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