They also urged the federal government to hear from Sabah MPs, assemblymen, civil society, and others before proceeding with the amendments.

Among the amendments is a proposal to remove automatic citizenship for children born to Malaysian permanent residents which the 28 societies and 38 activists said would worsen matters for stateless people in Sabah, and hinder their access to education, health services and employment.

The organisations and activists said the government had not sought their views despite their extensive knowledge and experience from dealing directly with people and families who would be negatively affected by the amendments.

“Passing the bill in its current form will worsen the statelessness crisis in Sabah, particularly among vulnerable, long-neglected communities,” they said in a statement.

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024, tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on March 25, would also grant overseas-born children of Malaysian women citizenship and lower the age limit to apply for citizenship by registration from 21 to 18.

In July, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said there were still some matters that needed to be refined despite receiving positive feedback from the Conference of Rulers.