KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — The government is considering 9,539 citizenship applications for approval as of September this year, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The government, via the ministry, is always committed to considering every citizenship application fairly and equitably.
He said the granting of Malaysian citizenship to non-citizens is the highest award to be given and an exclusive right of the Federal government that is not offered and given arbitrarily.
The government has also completed the draft Amendment to Part III of the Federal Constitution regarding citizenship, which would be presented to the Rulers’ Council this month.
“Also, today, I handed over the decision letters of citizen applications to 19 applicants,” Saifuddin Nasution told a media conference after attending the Madani KDN programme at the Bandar Tun Razak Sports Complex earlier today.
The 19 applicants consisted of two categories, namely adopted children and naturalised residents.
“Naturalised status (the awarding of citizenship to non-citizens) is for those who have resided for decades in Malaysia and had applied for citizenship numerous times but failed in their bids,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution added the process of the constitutional amendment regarding citizenship is going on smoothly, and engagement sessions with stakeholders are also ongoing.
“We are still gathering input, and we hope to be able to present them in the next Parliament session.
“Under the Home Ministry, there are two amendments to be presented, namely regarding citizenship and drugs and abuse of substances under the National Anti-Drugs Agency,” he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Pertubuhan Prihatin Komuniti (GPPK) grant, Saifuddin Nasution said the government, via the ministry, has allocated some RM20 million for this purpose.
The grant will benefit some 2,000 resident associations registered under the Registrar of Societies, with RM10,000 allocated to each eligible association.
“It aims to strengthen the role of organisations in boosting involvement in various volunteering activities for community safety and disaster preparedness.
“As of September, 1,635 applications were considered, and today the GPPK grant was handed out to seven organisations,” he said.
The closing date for GPPK applications has also been extended to October 31.
Also present at the event was the Prime Minister’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the Bandar Tun Razak MP, and Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi.
— Bernama
