Govt to simplify BM test for those seeking to be naturalised citizens

Govt to simplify BM test for those seeking to be naturalised citizens

Published: Mar 4, 2024 4:13 PM


UPDATED 4PM | Amended number of applications for naturalisation made and processed.

The Home Ministry is seeking to simplify the national language interview for those applying to be citizens via naturalisation.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the aim is to make it more accessible, especially for the elderly who have lived in Malaysia all their lives, the Malay Mail reported.

“Among the candidates applying for citizenship are those who were born in Malaysia before Merdeka and do not have proper documentation. Therefore, their application will be processed under Article 19, which is naturalisation.

“Based on my observations today, I find that the current Bahasa Malaysia syllabus is sufficient for the interviewees, but there is always room for improvement. Our purpose is to simplify the interview process.

“We don’t want the interview process to be too regimented or technical, more ‘santai’ (relaxed). The interviewees seem to be very nervous, especially those who are above 80,” he told a press conference after visiting Rumah Seri Kenangan in Ulu Kinta.

Saifuddin spoke to the media after observing a language proficiency interview for citizenship applicants in Meru, Perak.

He said the process seemed too formal and made the applicants nervous, thereby affecting their perceived language proficiency.


Length of interview

He said the ministry is also looking to reduce the length of the language proficiency interview and try different methods, like group interviews instead of one-on-one tests.

“Our aim right now is to phrase the questions informally so that the interviewees may answer without feeling nervous. These are the elements that we are looking to improve.

“There are a lot of things that can be improvised on without comprising anything that is enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” he said.

He added that many applicants seeking citizenship via naturalisation are genuine cases, including the elderly who hold red identification cards, thereby barring them from accessing government welfare.

“Most of them need to depend on their children and grandchildren for assistance at the moment,” he said.

National language proficiency is a requirement for those seeking to become citizens via naturalisation.

Saifuddin added that of the 35,000 applications for citizenship under Article 19, 12,000 are still being processed.

Under the Federal Constitution, national language proficiency is required for three types of citizenship applicants.

They are foreign wives who are applying to be citizens (Article 15(1)), those born in Malaysia before Merdeka (Article 16) and those who want to be naturalised citizens (Article 19).

Applicants may apply under Article 19 if they meet these conditions:


Aged 21 or older

Have resided in Malaysia for no less than 10 years over a period of 12 years, including the 12 months immediately preceding the application

• Intends to reside permanently in Malaysia
• Is of good character
• Has adequate knowledge of the national language
• Has sponsorship of two referees who are citizens, aged 21 or older and who are not relatives, hired persons or solicitors of the applicant.