‘More than 1.7 million granted citizenship since 1957’
PUTRAJAYA: The government has granted citizenship to 1,713,198 individuals since 1957 until May 30 this year, said Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
He said the government was examining more than 55,000 appeals and applications from individuals seeking citizenship.
“The National Registration Department (NRD) received appeals for various applications, including citizenship certificate, red identity card, as well as (appeals) for their children; and these are being processed.”
Speaking after handing out 200 approval letters for Malaysian citizenship yesterday, Muhyiddin said only applications from those eligible were approved or considered, adding that the conditions included their ability to master the Malay language.
“The number of applications (seeking citizenship) are many. If they are eligible and comply with the stipulated conditions, they will be approved. The government does not practise favouritism. Anyone entitled under the constitution and the rule of law will qualify.”
He said the Malaysian citizenship status was the nation’s highest award and the exclusive right of the Federal Government.
He said NRD received a total of 3,853 applications from individuals of Indian descent, who were aged 60 and above.
“Of that number, 1,641 individuals had complied with the stipulated conditions and their citizenship applications had been approved,” he said.