BACHOK: The National Registration Department (NRD) is considering allowing dual citizenship holders to voluntarily surrender their MyKad without facing legal action, aside from the mandatory forfeiture of one of their citizenships.
Its director-general Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias said the approach may be introduced to gauge the willingness of dual citizenship holders to come forward and make a formal choice.
“We have not implemented this offer or initiative, but I view it as a good proposal to see the level of response we might receive.
“In this context, our action would only involve the deprivation of one citizenship, without any additional legal action or arrests. They can decide which citizenship they wish to retain, as there is no mandatory requirement on which they must keep,” he told reporters after presenting an identity card to Shaharuddin Basir, 58, during the Menyemai Kasih Rakyat (Mekar) programme in Kampung Keting yesterday.
Badrul Hisham reiterated that Malaysia does not recognise dual citizenship, and citizenship revocation can be enforced if an individual is proven to hold more than one nationality, Bernama reported.
However, he said NRD currently does not have records of individuals with dual citizenship, but action can be taken upon receiving a complaint, in accordance with Article 24(1) and Article 24(2) of the Federal Constitution.
“The process of revoking citizenship is complex as it must go through a committee chaired by an appointed judge, and action is only taken after the individual is found guilty,” said Badrul Hisham.
The department, he added, has held discussions with the Thai government on dual citizenship issues following enhanced border security measures.
