APPLICATION FOR CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY THE HOME MINISTRY GOES THROUGH A VERY THOROUGH PROCESS – SAIFUDDIN

Every application related to the granting of citizenship status received by the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) goes through a very thorough process.

Commenting on the issue of the seven Harimau Malaya players who faced action, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that at the ministry level, all necessary steps in the process of granting such documents are carried out based on legal provisions.

In the Federal Constitution, he said, the granting of citizenship status through naturalization falls under Article 19, which involves applicants who have lineage, descent, or a spouse originating from this country.

“A number of players (Harimau Malaya) received citizenship status, and of course, that falls under the jurisdiction of KDN.

“The process of granting citizenship status is a very meticulous process. All documents submitted must go through verification… we take biometrics, conduct interviews, and that’s why it takes so long.

“We (have) carried out the process in accordance with proper regulations and legal provisions,” he said after inspecting the implementation of the RON95 (BUDI95) Program at a petrol station here today.

Yesterday, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) together with seven national players were sanctioned by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee after being found guilty of violating Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) related to document forgery.

In its statement, FIFA announced that FAM was found to have submitted falsified documents in the process of verifying players’ eligibility to allow them to play in official matches.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin said it is up to FIFA to make its decision as the matter concerns FIFA and FAM.

“So that (the granting of citizenship status) is our part. As for FIFA’s decision, that is between FIFA and FAM. As for the citizenship status process, we carry out verification,” he said.