The citizenship application process will be shortened from three years

Citizenship application process to be trimmed, says Muhyiddin
Larissa Lumandan
-July 29, 2019 12:02 PM
Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (2nd from left) during the handing over of approval for citizenships ceremony in Kuching today.

KUCHING: Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says the citizenship application process will be shortened from three years to one as part of efforts to ease the hardships of applicants.

He said the government would also review the standard operating procedure (SOP) for applications to make it more efficient.

“However, citizenship will only be granted to those who are eligible, and who qualify under Section 3 of the Federal Constitution, Citizenship Rules 1964, marriage registration laws, immigration laws and other related laws.

“Applicants must fulfil the requirements in terms of good behaviour, residency period and the ability to converse fluently in Bahasa Malaysia,” he said during a ceremony to hand over approval for citizenship for 31 recipients here today.

He added that security screening will be implemented to ensure that applications are all genuine.

“It is part of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto to resolve citizenship issues in the country, including Sarawak,” he said.

According to Muhyiddin, the new SOP will include clearer guidelines on how to handle and consider citizenship applications, especially for children under Article 15A.