KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, revealed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s intervention prompted the government to suspend its proposed amendments to the citizenship law, which would have affected babies found abandoned in Malaysia. Nik Nazmi confirmed that contentious sections, including those pertaining to foundlings, were removed at the last minute following Anwar’s involvement, amidst widespread public outcry over the proposed changes.
The move to shelve the amendments, which were part of eight constitutional amendments on Malaysian citizenship tabled in Parliament last month, came after intense criticism from civil society groups. While Home Minister Senator Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail initially cited feedback from MPs and others as the reason for discontinuing the two contentious sections, Nik Nazmi’s revelation sheds light on Anwar’s role in the decision-making process. As the government navigates through complex political dynamics, involving collaboration with former rivals, Nik Nazmi emphasized the importance of gathering feedback from all stakeholders, including civil society groups and the Conference of Rulers, on matters of constitutional amendments.
