NIBONG TEBAL, June 16 — Priority to solving citizenship applications is given to cases involving illegitimate and adopted children under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
This is because applications involving the two categories are the highest so far, followed by the category of children born abroad to Malaysian women married to foreigners.
“Applications for citizenship involving children born out of wedlock are high. These children should not be discriminated against because of their parents’ fault.
“So, we are giving priority to their applications. Last year, we achieved the target of resolving 14,000 cases. Now that number has reached over 15,000, we will maintain the same momentum this year,” he told the press after a gathering with the Indian community today.
Saifuddin said there are also applications for citizenship under the naturalisation category, but only a few.
In another development, he confirmed the police had received a report about the leak regarding the investigation of the murder of autistic child Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, and the matter is being investigated.
The police report followed a leak of purported police investigation details less than 24 hours after Zayn’s parents pleaded not guilty to a charge of neglecting their child.
The Telegram group had uploaded what it claims were statements taken by investigators from both parents.
When asked if the government would block the Telegram platform following the leak, Saifuddin said he would leave it to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to decide.
— Bernama
