KUALA LUMPUR: Actor Josiah Hogan is willing to give up his United States citizenship in order to become a Malaysian national.
In a Berita Harian report today, the 37-year-old Texas-born artiste said he had come to this decision for the sake of his children as they would grow up in Malaysia, a country where the official religion is Islam.
Josiah, followed his Mexican mother to Malaysia at the age of seven, and has been living here ever since, after his mother re-married a Malaysian.
"She's given up her US citizenship and has already been granted a citizenship here. She only needs to go and pick up her blue identity card anytime now.
"It was easier for her as she had married a Malaysian," said Josiah who is currently a permanent resident, holding a red identity card.
The actor, who also speaks fluent Malay and an East Coast dialect, added that he had applied for citizenship at the National Registration Department (NRD) in Putrajaya four years ago.
"I had submitted all the necessary documents, including an endorsement letter from the Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil.
"I'd just gone through an interview session (with the department), and now I'm waiting for the result," he said.
To relinquish his US citizenship, Josiah said he needed to pay a fee of US5,000 (RM23,000).
The actor is married to Nurul Hidayu Mohamed Nordin, and they have three children.
He also has a son, from his previous marriage.