Saifuddin: Citizenship application process shortened to 14 days

The citizenship application processing period has been reduced from 73 days to 14 days through the integrated security vetting system launched by the National Registration Department (NRD).

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said with the implementation of the system developed by the NRD, in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the processing time for an application is now more efficient.

“Before this, the citizenship application documents received by the NRD would be submitted to the police physically (printed), but with this system, the documents will be submitted online,” he said at a press conference after officiating at the department’s 75th anniversary celebration in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said that the system will automatically reject an application if it finds that the applicant is involved with an organisation considered dangerous and a threat to public order and those who overstayed.

Apart from that, Saifuddin said that the cabinet will finalise the establishment of a single agency to regulate the country’s borders soon.

“The decision of who will be involved in the single border agency will be made by the prime minister and the cabinet.

“Security and national border control in any country in the world is an important aspect and there are several security agencies under the Home Ministry,” he said.

He added that staff in his ministry have been asked to be prepared if the ministry and its agencies are responsible for the establishment of the agency.

There are currently more than 20 agencies involved in regulating the country’s borders, including the Immigration Department, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department.

- Bernama

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