All 23 naturalised footballers gained citizenship legally, no breaches found: Saifuddin

Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that each application was assessed under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution, which allows non-citizens to apply for Malaysian citizenship after fulfilling specific requirements. - Bernama file pic, October 9, 2025


All 23 naturalised footballers gained citizenship legally, no breaches found: Saifuddin


Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says all 23 footballers granted Malaysian citizenship since 2018, including seven now in the national team underwent a lawful and transparent process in full compliance with the Federal Constitution



Sandru Narayanan
Updated 50 seconds ago
9 October, 2025
12:36 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 23 footballers have been granted Malaysian citizenship through the naturalisation process, including seven newly approved players currently representing the national team.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said all naturalisation procedures carried out since 2018 fully complied with the Federal Constitution and existing laws, without any breach of due process.

He explained that each application was assessed under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution, which allows non-citizens to apply for Malaysian citizenship after fulfilling specific requirements.

“To date, the government has received around 49,000 citizenship applications, with another 6,000 still under review.

All applications are made directly by individuals. The National Registration Department (NRD) has never appointed or engaged agents to handle any citizenship applications,” he said during a Dewan Rakyat session today.

Saifuddin was responding to a question from Zakri Hassan (Perikatan Nasional–Kangar), who sought details on the number of footballers naturalised since 2018.

The minister said applicants must meet three key conditions under Article 19 – having resided in Malaysia for the required period, maintaining good conduct with no security record, and demonstrating sufficient proficiency in the Malay language.

On the ongoing FIFA investigation into the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) regarding heritage players, Saifuddin clarified that the issue does not fall under the Home Ministry’s jurisdiction, as it is governed by FIFA’s own statutes.

He said FIFA’s regulations determine a player’s eligibility to represent a country based on whether the player, their parents, or grandparents were born in that nation, or whether the player has lived there continuously for a certain period.

“This is a matter strictly between FAM and FIFA. From the constitutional and legal standpoint, all citizenship processes involving the seven recently naturalised players were conducted in accordance with Malaysian law,” he said.

Saifuddin also addressed allegations that some heritage players’ documents contained false information, saying the issue is currently under review by the relevant authorities and will be resolved between FAM and FIFA.

“FIFA claims the documents are invalid, while FAM insists the information came directly from the players themselves. Let them resolve the matter at their level.

From the legal perspective, all national procedures have been properly followed,” he added.

Saifuddin further noted that the Home Ministry has the power to grant exemptions from residency requirements under Article 20(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution and the Births and Deaths Registration Act, subject to special consideration by the government. – October 9, 2025.

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