Saifuddin: Only 203 China nationals granted citizenship since 2013

PARLIAMENT | Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said only 203 China nationals had been granted Malaysian citizenship since 2013 under Section 15(1) and Section 19(1) of the Federal Constitution.

Saifuddin in his winding-up speech at the end of debates on the Supply Bill 2025 said this was contrary to an often-repeated claim that there are some 1.2 million China nationals who entered the country but never left and subsequently granted citizenship.

"That (203) is the actual figure since 2013. (Contrary to) all the 'noise' outside, 'give out citizenship wholesale' to play up (racial) sentiments).

"I also have a record of the number of police reports lodged, which leaders had played up this issue outside, in mosques and surau.

"That is why police opened up investigations under 3R (race, religion, royalty) because they (certain leaders) had irresponsibly played up sentiments. Why? Because (it was against) China," he said.

Under Article 15(1) of the Federal Constitution, where a foreign wife marries a local man, 103 Chinese nationals were granted citizenship.

While under Category 19(1), where a foreign husband marries a local woman, 100 individuals were granted citizenship.

Saifuddin also pointed out the same claim that 1.2 million Chinese nationals had entered Malaysia between 2018 and 2021 but never left had also been denied by his predecessors, Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) and Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh).

Citing media reports, Saifuddin said Hamzah as then home minister had on Aug 26, 2022, mentioned that the 1.2 million figure was untrue.

"That was Larut (Hamzah), not me. And it was not just him, before that, Pagoh (Muhyiddin) also said the same thing," he added.

Chinese national arrivals

Earlier, Saifuddin, in response to Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) who again raised the question today, revealed that there were 8,491,653 recorded arrivals of Chinese nationals from China to Malaysia between Jan 1, 2018, and November 2021.

From the arrival numbers, he said a total of 8,012,294 had departed from Malaysia, a difference of 479,359 people including 129,005 long-term residential pass holders.

Further, he said 5,359 Chinese citizens were deported within three years, while 141,783 others had their initial 30-day visa-free entry extended.

"The (actual) number of social visit pass holders who have yet to leave (Malaysia) is 84,817 from 8,491,653 (arrivals)," he said.

Saifuddin added that he had raised the issue with his counterpart during a recent visit to China and given an assurance that actions could be taken against their citizens who breach Malaysian laws.

"So, let us stop this 1.2 million (claim) because even the opposition leader (Hamzah) has denied it.

"The claim '1.2 million did not leave, Home Ministry approved citizenships wholesale'. That is a very serious slander, so it is best to end it," he stressed.

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