KUALA LUMPUR: Those granted citizenship under the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 should be required to participate in the National Service Training Programme 3.0 to demonstrate their loyalty to the country, according to Jerantut member of parliament Khairil Nizam Khirudin.
He emphasised that citizenship should be exclusive, not inclusive.
"Citizenship should be exclusive and not inclusive so that we can proudly declare, 'Saya Anak Malaysia (I am from Malaysia).'
"Firstly, more specific and rigorous tests should be introduced to assess the loyalty of the permanent residents in this country, not just their proficiency in the Malay language.
"Secondly, it should be mandatory for those granted citizenship through these amendments to participate in the PLKN 3.0 programme, with suitable modules under the supervision of the Defence Ministry.
"Thirdly, we should upgrade the existing services that process various types of applications related to citizenship," he said at the Dewan Rakyat today.
MPs are currently debating the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 on citizenship.
Among other amendments is Article 15(1)(c) which would add the requirement of adequate Malay language knowledge on a foreign woman married to a Malaysian, as part of her application for citizenship, which the Home Ministry said is consistent with the Federal Constitution.
Khairil Nizam said citizenship is a privilege that should be cherished by every Malaysian.
"This privilege comes with a price—complete loyalty and undivided allegiance to the beloved homeland," he said.
Another amendment is on Part II of the Second Schedule which stipulates only children born here, with at least one parent being a citizen at the time of birth, are eligible for citizenship by law.
With this proposed amendment, children whose parents were permanent residents at the time of birth will no longer be eligible for citizenship by law.
Khairil Nizam also asked what were some of the interventions that the government would put in place if the amendments would worsen the citizenship issues in Sabah and Sarawak.
"What guarantee does the government provide to ensure the welfare of those in this category, particularly in terms of education and healthcare?" he said.