“Initially, we wanted to do eight amendments, but the government later removed one.

“Activists and NGOs should apply the same spirit. The government does not have to give in to everything they demand,” he said in a press conference today.

He added that all stakeholders need to apply a give-and-take approach and try to find the middle ground on this issue.

“You may think your opinion is correct, but it’s not always the case, so please give the government some space as well,” he said.

Saifuddin said the most important thing is to resolve the citizenship issue together.

On Friday, Saifuddin said the home ministry had decided not to proceed with its constitutional amendments to citizenship for foundlings, stateless children and vulnerable people after discussions with MPs and party representatives, as well as legal experts, state agency representatives, and the chief whips of all parties.

“All the proposed (amendments) tabled by the home ministry have been agreed to, except those concerning Sections 19B and 14(1)(e), which will remain unchanged,” he said.

“Our proposal (had initially been) to change those involved under these sections to citizens by registration.”

Currently, under Section 19B, Part III of the Second Schedule, foundlings are given automatic citizenship by operation of law, as provided for under an evidentiary provision that gives them the benefit of doubt as to the date and place of their birth, given that the status of their biological parents are unknown and unable to be proven.

Under Section 14(1)(e), Part II of the Second Schedule, similar protection under operation of law is afforded to vulnerable and affected people, such as children born out of wedlock, adopted and abandoned stateless children, and indigenous communities.

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