NGOs nudge MPs to use 'stomachaches' to stall citizenship, mufti bills

A coalition of NGOs wants the government to put a hold on the citizenship amendments and Federal Territories mufti bills, and refer it to Parliament Special Select Committees (PSSC).

But perhaps cognisant that their plea will fall on deaf ears, the NGOs have also suggested a way that conscionable MPs can circumvent party rules and stall the bills from being bulldozed.

“It is important to note that the Anti-Hopping Law, ie Article 49A of the Federal Constitution, does not vacate the seats of any parliamentarians who defy their party whips, except for those in DAP, Amanah and Bersatu, whose amended party constitutions have an undemocratic clause that covers all non-compliance of party directives.

“Nevertheless, even for DAP, Amanah and Bersatu parliamentarians, their party constitution cannot punish them through Article 49A if they happen to be absent when the controversial bills are put to vote simply because they have encountered medical emergency - whether it is chest pain, extreme hypertension, or acute stomachache – or are held back by flood.

“Sometimes, inconveniences are just divine interventions,” said the Seed Community For Professional Parliament in a statement today.

The group consists of several groups including Projek Sama, Bersih, Ideas, and Undi18.

Plea fails

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 is due to be voted on today.

As a constitutional amendment, it will require two-thirds of all 222 MPs to vote in favour for it to pass.

The government does have two-thirds support, but if enough backbenchers are absent from the vote the bill cannot be passed.

Critics have continued to express concerns that the bill could lead to those who should be citizens, becoming stateless.

Separately, debates on the Federal Territories Mufti Bill are expected to take place after the citizenship bill vote today.

However, the plea did not work as the lower house passed the amendment bill via bloc vote.

A total of 206 MPs voted in favour of the changes, and one voted against it.

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