Hope of finally getting citizenship dashed

I AM married to a Malaysian, have four Malaysian-born children and six Malaysian-born grandchildren. I have lived in Malaysia for over 20 years, am 67 years old, retired this year and have been a permanent resident with a red identity card for six years.

I love this country and want to be buried here when I die. My family members are all here. I am prepared to give up my British citizenship and passport to fulfil my wish to become Malaysian and live out my twilight years here with my family.

Thus, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that all senior permanent residents with a red MyKad would be allowed citizenship was music to my ears, “Senior PRs to become M’sians” (The Star, Aug 15).

Bernama even came up with an infographic on the categories of those who would be eligible (graphic). As I am 67, I would qualify for Category 1.

Full of joy for both myself and my family, and thinking what a wonderful man Dr Mahathir is in granting me this gift of becoming a Malaysian citizen, I went to the National Registration Department with my daughter a few days after reading the report.

There, we spoke to a senior officer who informed us while pointing to a book on the Federal Constitution published in 2006 that only those below 60 years who have held the red IC for 12 years and fulfil the conditions of Category 2 (five conditions) are entitled to citizenship. Category 1 was not valid, we were told.

Therefore, although I have my family and worked for years here and retired this year, I need to wait another six years to fulfil the requirements of Category 2 before I can get the blue IC. I don’t know what my life expectancy is but I could be buried in the family plot when that time comes as I would be 74 by then. The National Registration Department should respect the wishes of Dr Mahathir and award me the blue IC or citizenship which not only I but also my family expect.

PETER

Kuala Lumpur