KUALA LUMPUR: The number of citizenship applications involving Sarawak natives has risen to 194 between 2020 and 2024.
According to a news report by TVS, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, said the figure showed an increase of 22 applications when comparing the periods of 2020-2022 and 2023-2024.
“A total of 86 applications were received by the National Registration Department (NRD) from 2020 to 2022, while 108 were recorded between 2023 and 2024.
“Of the total, 25 applications were withdrawn by applicants, while 118 are still under consideration,” he said during the recent Dewan Negara session here today.
He was replying to Senator Abun Sui Anyit on statistics relating to citizenship applications by undocumented individuals, particularly among the indigenous Bumiputera community in Sarawak.
He added that 27 applications have been approved while 24 were rejected.
“The main reasons for rejection include incomplete documentation, failure in security screening, and failure to pass the Bahasa Melayu proficiency assessment,” he explained.
On identity card applications in Sarawak, Shamsul Anuar said the process is carried out in line with Act 78 and the National Registration Regulations (NRR) 1990.
He noted that efforts to resolve the issue of undocumented residents in the state were being addressed through close cooperation between the state government and the federal government.
“The matter is being handled through the Sarawak Special Committee on Citizenship Status (JKKSK),” he said.
