The National Registration Department's (NRD) headquarters in Putrajaya has received the highest number of citizenship applications between 2013 and Sept 30 this year.

During that period, Putrajaya NRD received a total of 8,855 applications, of which 2,504 have been approved (28 percent) while 4,663 are still being processed (52 percent).

Applicants must demonstrate "adequate knowledge of the Malay language" and have resided in the country for at least 10 years, according to Article 16 of the Federal Constitution.

Johor NRD received the second highest number of applications (6,166), in which only 1,753 were successful (28 percent) while 2,990 were being processed (48 percent)...