Persuaded PM to drop the proposed constitutional amendment that would have denied abandoned babies automatic Malaysian citizenship.
DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke has revealed that he was prepared to step down as Transport Minister if he had failed to persuade Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to drop the proposed constitutional amendment that would have denied abandoned babies automatic Malaysian citizenship.
Speaking at DAP’s 18th National Congress, Loke emphasized that the party would never compromise its principles for political positions.
“Although I am a minister, secretary-general, and party leader, I will never force our MPs to make a decision they don’t agree with,” he said.
The secret ballot and internal opposition
Loke recalled that in March 2024, when the amendment was set to be tabled in Parliament, he convened an emergency meeting with DAP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) and MPs. He asked them to vote in secret on the proposed amendment.
“Every single person except four opposed the amendment,” he revealed.
Many of the female DAP MPs were particularly vocal, stating:
“I’m a mother. How can I forsake an abandoned baby? It’s not their fault; it’s their parents’ fault. If they’re left by the roadside, should they lose their right to citizenship?”
A critical meeting with Anwar
Determined to act on the MPs’ concerns, Loke met Anwar that same night at Seri Perdana, where Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu were also present.
“I told them: If I cannot convince the Prime Minister to change this, tomorrow I will resign as minister. You can all vote according to your conscience in Parliament.”
Loke emphasized that he did not threaten Anwar but instead politely made his case.
“I did not say I would resign. I did not make threats to withdraw support. I simply said, Datuk Seri, many MPs don’t agree with this—can you reconsider?”
Anwar’s response and the amendment’s withdrawal
Anwar immediately asked Home Minister Saifuddin if the amendment was crucial. Saifuddin admitted that it had been in place for decades and could be reconsidered.
“Within 15 minutes, the Prime Minister agreed to postpone the amendment.”
Eventually, the proposed citizenship amendment affecting foundlings was removed from the