Kuala lumpur: The government has approved a total of 1,980 citizenship applications for children born overseas to Malaysian mothers married to foreign nationals from 2024 to date. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that all these applications were processed and approved under Article 15(2) of the Federal Constitution while awaiting the effective date of the new constitutional amendment that will allow for automatic citizenship grants.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin Nasution explained that for applications from 2024 to 2025, no applications have been rejected as of now. He noted that the average number of new applications received is about 100 per month, and these have not yet been processed under the newly approved amendment. The total number of cases processed under Article 15(2) stands at 1,980, as mentioned during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
Saifuddin Nasution was responding to a query from Chiew Choon Man (PH-Miri) regarding the latest guidelines for children of Malaysian citizens born abroad after the constitutional amendment’s approval earlier this year. This includes whether they need to reapply for citizenship and the current status of the applications.
The Home Minister highlighted that the amendment still requires several processes before it can be enforced, with the effective date needing the King’s consent. One of the critical steps involves reviewing and refining the Citizenship Regulations 1964, which comprises 57 provisions.
He elaborated that several procurement processes and amendments to forms are necessary since future applications can be submitted online. Currently, the systems used by Malaysian missions abroad are based on outdated forms and formats. The government expects the updates to the Citizenship Regulations 1964 to be completed around September or October this year. Once the forms and procurement processes are finalized, enforcement is anticipated not to extend beyond the middle or end of next year, pending the King’s consent.