Malaysia’s Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has concluded its investigation into the citizenship approval process involving seven naturalised Malaysian footballers, revealing several procedural irregularities by government agencies while stopping short of declaring the citizenships invalid.
In a media statement released on Friday, the EAIC confirmed that the investigation was launched following complaints regarding the handling of citizenship applications processed by the National Registration Department (JPN) for seven footballers who obtained Malaysian nationality through naturalisation.
The probe focused on the actions of the National Registration Department (JPN) and the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM), both under the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), which were responsible for processing entry permits and citizenship applications.
The EAIC established a Special Investigation Team under Section 17 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700).
As part of the investigation, officers:
- Examined documents from KDN, JPN, JIM, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
- Recorded statements from 15 officers under investigation from various agencies.
- Interviewed five public witnesses.
- Reviewed the legal provisions, regulations and administrative procedures governing the naturalisation process.
The investigation reaffirmed that Article 19 of the Federal Constitution grants the Minister of Home Affairs the authority to consider citizenship applications by naturalisation.
According to the EAIC, the Minister exercised discretionary powers under constitutional provisions by granting special approval after considering each applicant’s potential contribution to Malaysian football and national interests.
However, the commission found that several procedural requirements were handled within an unusually short timeframe and in an inconsistent manner.
Among the main findings were:
- Irregularities in the issuance of Entry Permits, including shortcomings in immigration interviews and security screening conducted by JIM.
- Issues involving security clearance procedures and the Bahasa Melayu proficiency assessment administered during the citizenship process.
- Failure to properly verify the applicants’ official release from their previous citizenships before approval.
- Non-compliance concerning the surrender of foreign passports to the Immigration Department after obtaining Malaysian citizenship.
To strengthen future naturalisation procedures, the EAIC proposed several reforms:
- JPN and KDN should comprehensively review all citizenship processes and documentation involving the seven footballers.
- A formal guideline should be introduced to govern the Minister’s discretionary powers under Article 19(2) of the Federal Constitution.
- A dedicated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be established for citizenship approvals granted under special circumstances.
- Clear procedures should be implemented requiring successful applicants to formally renounce their previous citizenship within a specified timeframe, with enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance.
- JPN should introduce detailed guidelines governing the Registrar-General’s discretionary authority in issuing birth certificates under Section 10A of the Births and Deaths Registration Act.
- JIM, JPN and PDRM should jointly establish stricter and more comprehensive SOPs covering security screening for entry permits and citizenship applications.
Importantly, the EAIC statement does not conclude that the seven footballers’ Malaysian citizenships are invalid or revoked.
Instead, the commission’s findings focus on weaknesses in administrative procedures and recommend improvements to ensure future naturalisation cases comply with stronger governance, transparency and national security requirements.
The EAIC stressed that citizenship by naturalisation is a matter involving national interest and security, and therefore every stage of the approval process must strictly adhere to established laws and procedures.
Its investigation report has now been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), the Immigration Department (JIM) and the National Registration Department (JPN) for further action.
Credit Photo : Simon Yap/SNE-Photo
