KUALA LUMPUR — The national registration department (NRD) has dismissed claims that around 54,000 Chinese nationals are in the process of being granted Malaysian citizenship to become “DAP voters.”
In a statement today, the department said that the figure cited by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in January had been “manipulated” as the minister was referring to the total number of citizenship applications submitted between 2017 to 2022.
“Based on NRD records from 2019 to July 31 this year, only 45 individuals from China have been conferred Malaysian citizenship.
“The granting of citizenship status is the highest award conferred by the Malaysian government to those who are truly deserving and have met all set criteria.”
It also stressed that citizenship applications are subject to provisions under the federal constitution and relevant laws which safeguard Malaysia’s sovereignty and security.
The government’s agency’s response comes following online posters and postings across social media channels claiming that a huge number of Chinese citizens were entering the country, granted citizenships and set to vote DAP for the recently concluded state elections. — August 18, 2023