KUALA LUMPUR: The National Registration Department (NRD) received a total of 5,695 citizenship applications between January and August this year.
In a written response to a question from Salamiah Mohd Nor (PN-Temerloh) regarding the number of citizenship approvals and pending applications during this period, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that out of the total applications, 5,487 are currently under processing.
Additionally, during the same period, the ministry has issued 3,116 citizenship certificates.
Responding to another inquiry from Salamiah about the quota of 10,000 set for the total number of citizenship applications to be completed by year-end, Saifuddin explained, "This target is established based on the current procedure, taking into consideration pending and long-standing applications. The assessment process will proceed as per the existing procedure by the Home Ministry until all applications are addressed."
He added that for each processed citizenship application, the ministry and NRD will issue a decision letter, whether approving or rejecting the request. For approved applications, the applicants will need to visit the NRD office to complete the citizenship certificate issuance process.