KUALA LUMPUR – The Home Ministry has not set a deadline for every citizenship application despite the overwhelming number made involving applicants aged under 18 pending since last year.
“Malaysian citizenship is an exclusive right of the federal government, so it takes time to consider the application for Malaysian citizenship,” minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat today.
“The burden to prove eligibility to be granted Malaysian citizenship is the responsibility of each applicant and the consideration process is subject to certain conditions.”
In a parliamentary reply, Saifuddin stressed that facts and supporting documents submitted by each applicant will be scrutinised under various terms before a decision is issued.
“There is no specific period set for the issuance of the decision that varies according to the needs of the case.”
Saifuddin’s response comes after Jimmy Puah (Tebrau-PH) had asked the Home Ministry to expedite the applications as 36,000 out of 54,000 made from last year are still pending, with the majority of applicants being children under 18.
In further response, Saifuddin said his ministry is taking immediate action on all citizenship applications received gradually in line with the aspirations of the Malaysia Madani concept mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Last month, Saifuddin had reportedly said that he aims to reach a decision for about 10,000 citizenship applications by the end of his first year as home minister.
Saifuddin said that since he was appointed in December last year, 4,294 citizenship applications had been processed, with almost 67% approved, and the rest rejected.
“Based on statistics from 2013 to February 21, 2023, there were 132,272 applications to become Malaysian citizens.
“I have decided on 4,300 and there are not many left. And I’m confident that by year-end, I can hit (process) 10,000 applications,” he said today when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks on the royal address on behalf of his ministry. – The Vibes, March 15, 2023
