EAIC Wants KDN, NRD To Review Citizenship Process For Seven Naturalised Players

PUTRAJAYA, July 10 (Bernama) -- The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has recommended that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Registration Department (NRD) review the entire process and citizenship documents granted to seven naturalised Malaysian football players.

This is among six recommendations submitted by the EAIC Special Task Force (PPK EAIC), which was established under Section 17 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 [Act 700] after conducting an investigation into complaints received regarding the approval of citizenship for the seven naturalised Malaysian football players.

The PPK EAIC investigation involved NRD and the Immigration Department (JIM), which are agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) responsible for processing and approving Entry Permits and citizenship applications via naturalisation.

In a statement today, the EAIC recommended that NRD and KDN review the entire process and citizenship documents granted through naturalisation to the seven players under Article 19(2) of the Federal Constitution, given that the EAIC's findings indicated the presence of irregularities.

Another recommendation is to establish a guideline for exercising discretionary power under the law, taking into account the fundamental provisions in the Federal Constitution that emphasise the period of residence in the country as a certified basis for citizenship, as well as an important factor when considering approvals granted based on special circumstances.

"The NRD and KDN are also recommended to establish a specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding the granting of citizenship status under Article 19(2) of the Federal Constitution.

"JIM and NRD, together with the Royal Malaysia Police, should establish a specific SOP regarding the procedures for conducting strict and comprehensive security screenings for the purpose of Entry Permit and citizenship approvals," the statement read.

The EAIC stated that the investigation found the Federal Constitution grants the Minister of Home Affairs the power to consider citizenship applications via naturalisation according to the provisions under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution.

"The Minister of Home Affairs (Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) subsequently exercised his power and discretion by granting special approval, taking into account the applicants' contributions to the sport of football which could bring honour to the country, according to Article 19(2) read together with Section 20(1)(e) of Part III of the Second Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

"The provision grants discretionary power to the Minister of Home Affairs for reasons prescribed generally or specially by the Minister to deem a person's period of residence outside the Federation as being resident in Malaysia," according to the statement.

The statement noted that the PPK EAIC found that the consideration of the conditions required to obtain special approval was made within an extremely short timeframe and in an irregular manner.

These matters include irregularities in the issuance process of Entry Permits, which involved the interview process and security screenings by JIM for the naturalised Malaysian football players.

"There are issues regarding the handling of security screenings by JIM and the Malay Language Proficiency Test (UPBM) by NRD for the purpose of citizenship approval," the statement said.

The EAIC is of the view that the acquisition of citizenship via naturalisation is a matter involving national interest and national security.

"The effective SOPs must be monitored and strictly adhered to by JIM and NRD. This EAIC Investigation Findings Report has been submitted to KDN, JIM, and NRD for further action.

"PPK EAIC also takes note that police reports have been lodged involving the issue of document forgery, which has been ruled as fraudulent by the Court of Arbitration for Sport," according to the statement.

In light of this, the EAIC stated that it is appropriate for this matter to be thoroughly investigated by the relevant agencies and subsequently referred to the appropriate authorities, given that the issue of document forgery falls outside the jurisdiction of the EAIC under Act 700.

-- BERNAMA

EAIC Wants KDN, NRD To Review Citizenship Process For Seven Naturalised Players

Keywords

Latest News