NRD refutes claims 54,000 Chinese nationals granted citizenship

PETALING JAYA: The National Registration Department (NRD) has refuted claims that some 54,000 Chinese nationals are granted Malaysian citizenship to become "DAP voters”.

It clarified that the statement made by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in January this year had been manipulated.

The Minister had said that 54,000 citizenship applications were submitted between 2017 and 2022.

"The stated figure of 54,000 includes a variety of applications involving applicants from diverse backgrounds and various countries of origin.

“From 2019 to July 31, 2023, only 45 individuals from China were granted Malaysian citizenship," it said in a statement on Friday (Aug 18), adding that this clarification debunks the claims being circulated on social media.

It stressed that citizenship is exclusively conferred upon those who meet the established criteria and is not granted hastily.

Furthermore, the department said that the application vetting process strictly adheres to the Federal Constitution and other applicable laws, safeguarding Malaysia's sovereignty and security.

It said the granting of citizenship adheres to conditions outlined in Part III of the Federal Constitution, the Citizenship Rules of 1964, and other relevant laws governing issues such as marriage registration, adoption, legitimacy of children, and Immigration regulations.