The Home Ministry said it will only respond to criticism based on facts and figures, not just mere assumptions or accusations.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, its minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said facts and figures showed that individuals who applied for citizenship will not face any problem in obtaining citizenship if they meet all the procedures set by the National Registration Department (NRD).
“For example, the number of cases of foundlings applying for citizenship from 2014 to 2023 was 142 applications. All were approved.
“Meanwhile, for cases of foundlings beyond the age of infancy, the ministry has approved over 98 percent of the total of 59,000 applications for the same period. There are 14,000 cases yet to be approved.
“These applications will be processed and a decision will be made within nine months (before Dec 31, 2024).
"So, this fact contradicts the accusations that the government is denying the rights of foundlings," he said.
For cases involving foundlings, an application must be made by law under Article 19B of the Federal Constitution.
As for cases of foundlings beyond the age of infancy, an application must be made under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution.
Article 15A includes cases involving children born out of wedlock, adopted children and foundlings.
Shortened application period
Saifuddin admitted that the main issue in the citizenship applications so far is the long period to obtain the result.
According to him, the application period was shortened after he took over the ministry.
"The problem all this time is that applicants have to wait several years. With the current method, the ministry will decide within a year.
"I have personally made decisions on over 11,500 applications throughout January until December 2023.
"This is why I’m saying that the ministry is only interested in a response based on facts and figures of the application,” he added.
However, he said that there are important elements in processing the applications before a decision can be made.
"Among them are investigations by the authorities, proof of documents and checks to avoid fraud, false statements or hiding of facts.”
On Friday (March 8), Saifuddin said the cabinet has given its “full green light” to the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution related to citizenship.
He also expressed hope that the amendments can be passed this year.
“We will continue with the processes such as holding sessions and engagements to explain (the proposed amendments) with the media, individuals, civil society groups and MPs,” he said in a press conference.
This comes despite major backlash and pushback from various quarters, with some arguing that the proposed amendments will worsen conditions for those who are stateless.
Those who oppose believe it could render more people stateless or place individuals in precarious positions.
‘Backward step’
Earlier this week, DAP lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh told the Dewan Rakyat that the proposed amendments, especially regarding foundlings, are both “illogical and unreasonable”.
Calling it a “backward step”, the Bukit Gelugor MP said the proposal should be withdrawn or postponed.
Pointing out that the proposal denied foundlings automatic citizenship and would subject them to an uncertain and protracted bureaucratic registration process, he said the move contradicted the Pakatan Harapan-led coalition government’s aim to improve and reform laws.
Last month, the Home Ministry said it would table to the cabinet a proposal to amend provisions related to citizenship rights of children born overseas to Malaysian mothers married to foreigners.
The proposal amends Article 14(1)(b) by inserting the word “mother” to enable Malaysian women to confer Malaysian citizenship to their overseas-born children.
The draft was amended after several engagement sessions, including with individuals with expertise in the Constitution, social activists, Suhakam and youth activists. - Mkini
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