Muhyiddin (PN-Pagoh) noted that among the provisions that need to be reviewed is one which states only children born in the federation, and with at least one parent being a citizen at the time of birth, are eligible for citizenship by operation of law.

He claimed that the provision denies the rights of children of permanent residents who are born in Malaysia to obtain citizenship by operation of law.

“This right is taken away from them. Constitutional amendments that deny existing rights guaranteed by the constitution are not trivial matters,” he said during the debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat.

The bill, tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on March 25, aims to grant citizenship to overseas-born children of Malaysian women and to lower the age limit for citizenship applications by registration from 21 to 18.

While Muhyiddin said the age limit for citizenship applications by registration should not be lowered from 21 to 18 years, amendments could be made if the home ministry could guarantee that all applications would be processed on a “fast track” basis.

“This is to prevent eligible applicants from missing the opportunity to apply due to the reduction in the age limit,” the former home minister said.

He also welcomed the amendment to grant citizenship to overseas-born children of Malaysian women, which he said should only be applicable to one generation.

Yesterday, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) also called on the government to refer the proposed constitutional amendments on citizenship to a PSSC for further scrutiny due to concern among stakeholders and civil society organisations over the amendments’ potential impact.

Suhakam said the amendment bill should be reviewed by two committees – human rights, election and institutional reform; and women, children and community development.