Saifuddin: Changes to citizenship regulation expected by end-2026

PARLIAMENT | Updated mechanisms for Malaysian mothers to automatically pass on citizenship to their children born overseas to non-Malaysian fathers are expected to take effect by the end of next year.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this follows the constitutional amendments passed in October last year.

“Before the amendments can proceed, there is a prerequisite – a condition that must first be resolved before we can enforce the 1964 Citizenship Regulations.

“There are 57 clauses within the regulations that need to be reviewed,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today, in response to Chiew Choon Man (Harapan-Miri).

Saifuddin said once the review is complete, the ministry must also undertake procurement processes and update application forms to support online submissions.

“For those abroad, the old forms are still being used,” he noted.

“We expect the updated 1964 Citizenship Regulations to be finalised around September or October this year.

“As for completing the forms and other related matters, we anticipate everything will be done by the middle or end of next year, subject to the approval of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he added.

In the interim, Saifuddin said the Home Ministry has approved 1,980 citizenship applications from last year until now under Article 15(2) of the Federal Constitution. These involved children under the age of 21 with at least one Malaysian parent at the time of birth.

Responding to a supplementary question from Mumtaz Mat Nawi (PN-Tumpat), Saifuddin clarified that the upcoming changes will not affect other existing conditions to apply for citizenship.

Mumtaz had suggested that DNA testing be made a requirement, but Saifuddin said it will remain “only as a supporting element” and not mandatory.

Reporting by Alyaa Alhadjri, Zarrah Morden, B Nantha Kumar

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