KUALA LUMPUR: Each citizenship application under Article 15(2) of the Federal Constitution, including cases involving single mothers, abused victims and children at risk of statelessness, is assessed on a case-by-case basis with supporting documents, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said the documents required for such applications are clearly set out under the Citizenship Rules 1964 and the existing standard operating procedures, which include a target for processing and decision-making within one year from the date a complete application is received.
“These basic documents are crucial for the National Registration Department (NRD) to verify the applicant’s identity and the authenticity of family ties.
“However, the Home Ministry is aware of urgent and special cases involving single mothers, victims of domestic violence or children at risk of being stateless. For such cases, applicants are encouraged to submit additional supporting documents to help the ministry make a fairer and more comprehensive assessment,” he said in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said these may include police and medical reports in cases involving domestic violence as proof of the urgent situation faced by the mother and child, as well as court orders such as full custody or protection orders to clarify the status of the relationship with a non-citizen father.
Statutory declarations can also be submitted to explain the background of a case where official documents from the father cannot be obtained due to security reasons or factors beyond the applicant’s control.
“The ministry emphasise that every application is considered according to the needs of the case. These additional supporting documents allow security screening and welfare assessments to be carried out more accurately.
“For cases categorised as urgent and supported by strong documentation, the ministry is always working to improve processing time so that decisions can be given within a reasonable period without compromising national security,” he said.
He was responding to Tan Hong Pin (PH–Bakri), who asked the ministry to state what additional documents or evidence were recommended by ministry to be attached to Article 15(2) citizenship applications, particularly for urgent cases such as domestic violence, statelessness or single mothers, to ensure fair consideration and expedited decisions.
