Foreign nationals must give up original citizenship to become Malaysians

Foreign nationals seeking Malaysian citizenship through naturalisation must first give up their original nationality, the chairman of Malaysia’s Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission said. Malaysia does not recognize dual citizenship, Tan Sri Dr. Ismail Bakar said.

The requirement applies to foreigners seeking naturalisation, including those who came to work in Malaysia. Ismail said the issue could not be treated as a minor documentation problem. Authorities needed clearer mechanisms to ensure applicants properly relinquished their original citizenship before receiving Malaysian nationality.

“How can someone have two citizenships? That is not allowed,” Ismail told Utusan Malaysia. “As long as they have not given up their original citizenship, we cannot grant them citizenship. Whatever process is used, that is the policy.”

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How can someone have two citizenships? That is not allowed.

His comments followed recommendations issued by the commission on July 10. The commission urged the National Registration Department and the Home Ministry to review the procedures and documents used to grant naturalised citizenship to seven Malaysian football players after a special task force found irregularities in the consideration of the approvals.

Among the recommendations were dedicated procedures for proving renunciation of an applicant’s original citizenship, a deadline for completing the process, and penalties for people who fail to provide evidence. The Home Ministry said it would study the recommendations, including proposals to strengthen standard operating procedures, documentation, coordination, review mechanisms and enforcement. Ismail also said the ministry should respond to the commission within 14 days of receiving an investigation report.

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As long as they have not given up their original citizenship, we cannot grant them citizenship. Whatever process is used, that is the policy.