KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution has made it his mission to resolve the outstanding 14,000 applications for Malaysian citizenship by the end of the year.
He expressed confidence that the applications related to Article 15a of the Federal Constitution, which grants the government special powers to register children as citizens, can be resolved within the period.
"In this matter, I pledge to resolve this by Dec 31, 2024, to have it completed. I wish to open a new chapter after this upcoming constitutional amendment.
"I am confident that this can be done," he said during his appearance on the 'Keluar Sekejap' podcast hosted by Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Sufian Hamdan, aired today.
Saifuddin said the government is committed to resolve the issues pertaining to citizenship.
However, he noted that there was a lack of trust among the public towards the government regarding its ability to resolve citizenship issues, and attributed this to the actions of past administrations.
"After a year, I have to admit that there is a serious trust deficit among the public towards the government, due to the inactions of past administrations.
"Application of citizenship is a longstanding issue. In fact, at a recent event where I handed over letters of citizenship, one of the recipients mentioned that he had waited for it for 15 years.
"So, if I were to say that I will settle this citizenship issue within a year, the public would not believe it.
However, I'll prove it (that I will settle it)," he said.
He said out of 150,000 applications for citizenship under various categories, only 49,000 have yet to be approved.
"As of March 7, I have made decisions on 3,000 cases of mothers with overseas-born children. Hence, there are no more such cases," he said.
Earlier, Saifuddin emphasised that it is the government's responsibility to balance between humanity and national security in the issue of citizenship.
"When it comes to humanity, we have to think about the children's future. But on the other hand, we must admit that organised crime, human trafficking syndicates, and baby-selling syndicates are still active."
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow.
On Friday, Saifuddin said the government has agreed to drop two proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution pertaining to the citizenship of foundlings.
He said the decision to drop the two proposed amendments was made after taking into consideration all inputs as well as after an intensive engagement session with all stakeholders.
Previously, Saifuddin denied that proposed amendments would not affect foundlings from being granted citizenship, so long as their births were registered properly. (link: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1028658/govt-not-denying-righ...)
He said should a child's citizenship application be denied under Section 19B, another application can be made under Section 15A of the Federal Constitution.
On March 8, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed confidence that the Dewan Rakyat will pass the amendment proposal to the Federal Constitution pertaining to citizenship.
Anwar said that the proposed amendment was not just a necessity but also in line with the principles enshrined in the Federal Constitution.