Malaysian minister rejects claims Chinese nationals ‘freely’ given citizenship

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution said the accusations were deliberately spread to confuse the public and inflame tensions

Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has dismissed allegations that citizenship was arbitrarily granted to Chinese nationals, calling the claims “malicious slander” and fake news intended to incite public sentiment.

He said the accusations were irresponsible and should not be weaponised for political purposes, especially at a time when the government is focused on helping the people navigate the global supply crisis.

He said he had repeatedly clarified the matter in parliament and during media engagements, with supporting data and facts, yet defamatory posters containing elements of race, religion and royalty had resurfaced and gone viral again despite his earlier denials last March.

“The process of approving citizenship applications is not carried out arbitrarily, let alone to fulfil the political agenda of certain parties,” he said in a social media statement on Wednesday.

Saifuddin stressed that all citizenship applications are subject to the federal constitution, existing laws and strict security screenings.

He also dismissed allegations that he had “freely granted citizenship to Chinese citizens”, saying the accusations were deliberately spread to confuse the public and inflame tensions.