GEORGE TOWN: A total of 1,082 cases have been successfully assisted by the Penang Citizenship Programme as of Aug 31 this year
State social development, welfare and non-Islamic affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the cases involved applicants from various backgrounds, including those facing citizenship and documentation issues.
Of the total, 584 cases involved Chinese applicants, followed by 132 Malay applicants and 88 Indian applicants.
Lim said another 278 cases involved foreign nationals married to Malaysian citizens, as well as individuals aged 21 and above applying for citizenship under Article 19(1) of the Federal Constitution.
"Currently, the programme, which was established on Feb 1, 2013, has five Citizenship Assistant Officers handling citizenship and documentation matters across the districts," she said when replying to an oral question from Lee Boon Geng (PH- Kebun Bunga) during the Penang State Legislative Assembly on Friday (Oct 30).
Lim said the state planned to strengthen the programme through better case management and monitoring to ensure more systematic and effective follow-ups.
It would also step up cooperation with the National Registration Department, Immigration Department and other relevant agencies.
"Efforts will be made to improve advisory services and assistance for applicants and families facing citizenship and documentation issues.
"We will strengthen public awareness of citizenship matters, including explaining application procedures and the channels available for assistance," she said.
Lim said the awareness campaign would include educating the public on the importance of legally registering marriages between Malaysian citizens and foreign spouses.
"This is to ensure that children's documentation and citizenship status can be properly determined, while reducing the risk of them facing citizenship problems or becoming stateless," she added.
