BATU PAHAT, 9 Jun (Bernama) -- The success in reducing the backlog of citizenship applications from nearly 50,000 cases to about 2,000 within three years stands among the most significant achievements of the Home Ministry (KDN), according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said that when he assumed the portfolio, tens of thousands of citizenship applications had remained unresolved for years, prompting the ministry to undertake comprehensive measures to expedite the process and clear the backlog.
At the same time, he said the ministry is in the final stages of implementing citizenship-related amendments that had been approved by Parliament.
“I set a clear direction for ministry officials. If legislative amendments were required, we would pursue them in Parliament. If improvements were needed to citizenship-related procedures, we would implement them. If engagement with stakeholders was necessary, we would conduct it.
“As a result, the number of pending applications, which previously stood at almost 50,000, has now been reduced to around 2,000. I am confident that the remaining cases can be resolved in the near future,” he told reporters after the “Citra Negara, Menteri Dalam Negeri: Sekolah Selamat” programme at the Advanced Technology Centre (ADTEC) in Batu Pahat today.
In a related development, Saifuddin said the citizenship amendments would provide substantial benefits to Malaysian women who marry foreign nationals and give birth overseas.
He explained that under the previous framework, children born abroad to Malaysian mothers were required to undergo an application and registration process to obtain Malaysian citizenship.
“Once the amendment comes into force, children born overseas to Malaysian mothers will automatically acquire Malaysian citizenship in accordance with the law.
“This will have a significant impact on Malaysian mothers, as they will no longer have to undergo lengthy administrative procedures or seek court declarations to determine their children’s citizenship status,” he said.
Saifuddin said the ministry is in the final stages of implementing the approved citizenship amendments and has completed the necessary preparations to facilitate the new policy.
These preparations include the development of an online application and notification system, as well as strengthening the readiness of Malaysian diplomatic missions abroad to manage related matters efficiently.
He said the official implementation date of the new citizenship provisions would be announced once all final processes have been completed.
At the same time, he said the ministry is in the final stages of implementing citizenship-related amendments that had been approved by Parliament.
“I set a clear direction for ministry officials. If legislative amendments were required, we would pursue them in Parliament. If improvements were needed to citizenship-related procedures, we would implement them. If engagement with stakeholders was necessary, we would conduct it.
“As a result, the number of pending applications, which previously stood at almost 50,000, has now been reduced to around 2,000. I am confident that the remaining cases can be resolved in the near future,” he told reporters after the “Citra Negara, Menteri Dalam Negeri: Sekolah Selamat” programme at the Advanced Technology Centre (ADTEC) in Batu Pahat today.
In a related development, Saifuddin said the citizenship amendments would provide substantial benefits to Malaysian women who marry foreign nationals and give birth overseas.
He explained that under the previous framework, children born abroad to Malaysian mothers were required to undergo an application and registration process to obtain Malaysian citizenship.
“Once the amendment comes into force, children born overseas to Malaysian mothers will automatically acquire Malaysian citizenship in accordance with the law.
“This will have a significant impact on Malaysian mothers, as they will no longer have to undergo lengthy administrative procedures or seek court declarations to determine their children’s citizenship status,” he said.
Saifuddin said the ministry is in the final stages of implementing the approved citizenship amendments and has completed the necessary preparations to facilitate the new policy.
These preparations include the development of an online application and notification system, as well as strengthening the readiness of Malaysian diplomatic missions abroad to manage related matters efficiently.
He said the official implementation date of the new citizenship provisions would be announced once all final processes have been completed.