Shafie: Govt must get consent from heads of states on citizenship bill

PARLIAMENT | Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) today questioned if the federal government got consent from Sabah and Sarawak heads of state for the constitutional amendment bill on citizenship.

Shafie, during his debate speech in the Dewan Rakyat today, said this consent is required under Article 161E(2) of the Federal Constitution.

“No amendment shall be made to the Constitution without the concurrence of the Yang di-Pertua of Sabah or Sarawak or each of the states of Sabah and Sarawak. That’s in the Constitution.

“The Constitution is the supreme (law). In Malaysia, it is the constitution that holds supremacy - not the cabinet, nor the executive.

“So, I would like to ask the (home) minister about the consent referenced in Article 161E(2). I don’t want our law debated today to bypass the requirement,” said Shafie (above) who is also the Senallang assemblyperson and the Sabah opposition leader.

He insisted that his question was not political but intended to improve the procedure of drafting legislation in Parliament.

He reiterated the unique situation in Sabah concerning citizenship issues, particularly among the state’s rural communities and stateless individuals including various groups of sea nomads.

“So, administratively, I urge the minister, I seek a guarantee on the issues I have raised,” said the former Sabah chief minister.

On Monday, a Sabah Muda member urged MPs from the state to take a stand and not be like a “bull being led by the horn”.

Wong Kueng Hui, a former stateless person, cited a proposed amendment that require children - born in Malaysia to parents who are non-Malaysian permanent residents - to apply for citizenship instead of giving them automatic citizenship.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament later today, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed that all necessary procedures were followed before the bill was tabled for a first reading in March.

He said consent was received from the heads of states and the Conference of Rulers.

He also said the citizenship of Orang Asli and Sabah and Sarawak bumiputera are protected under the Federal Constitution and will not be affected by the proposed amendment.

A total of 59 MPs are listed to debate the constitutional amendment bill that will be put to a vote on Oct 17.

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