The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 was supported by 206 MPs while one voted against it. Fourteen MPs were absent while one was suspended.

The bill was passed after the second and third readings which were carried out today.

A two-thirds majority of 148 MPs is needed to amend the Federal Constitution.

The bill 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.

However, the proposed amendments have faced criticism from various groups, particularly those from Sabah and Sarawak.

They said a proposal to remove automatic citizenship for children born to Malaysian permanent residents would worsen matters for stateless people in Sabah, and hinder their access to education, health services and employment.

Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan was reported to have said the state should be exempted from the amendments, citing concerns that they could adversely impact rural Sabahans.

Earlier today, Kitingan, the Keningau MP, suggested that Putrajaya form a dedicated commission or committee for Sabah and Sarawak should the proposed constitutional amendments proceed.

He said this commission could come up with clear SOPs or terms of reference when it comes to granting citizenship to the people of Sabah and Sarawak.