Proficiency problem: Saifuddin Nasution gesturing while speaking during the Question and Answer session at Parliament. — Bernama
FAILURE to pass the basic Bahasa Malaysia language proficiency test has been cited as one of the obstacles for elderly groups to obtain approval of their citizenship applications, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia is one of the main requirements for Malaysian citizenship applications.
“In other countries, the proficiency test in the official language or the main language is also required.
“We observe similar best practices as other countries, meaning those applying for citizenship should be able to speak the official language of that country,” Saifuddin said in reply to Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng (BN-Tanjung Piai).
Wee requested clarification from the Home Ministry regarding citizenship applications filed by certain elderly individuals who received no updates on their applications.
Saifuddin said those who obtain a score of one would be deemed to have failed the language test.
A score of eight is required in order to pass the test.
“There are occasions where those who even scored a two rating will be given a pass.
“If they can reply, ‘you are welcome’, when we say thank you, that also means we allow them to pass the test,” he said.
Saifuddin said many from the elderly group were not proficient in the Bahasa Malaysia language but were only fluent in their own mother tongue.
“That is the obstacle that we face, but we will still try to help them.
“If there are any specific cases where applicants have complete documentation, please come forward so I can facilitate it,” Saifuddin told Wee.
To a question from Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau) on allegations that the Home Ministry was not serious in addressing citizenship issues, the minister denied such allegations, stating that within a period of 10 months of helming the ministry, he attended to a total of 10,381 applications.
“Most of the applications involved adoption and undocumented children.
“They cannot go to school and have to pay expensive hospital bills (because they do not have citizenship status),” he said.
“We tell ministry officials to resolve this first, (but) instead we are accused of approving tens of thousands of citizenship applications for Chinese nationals; this is mischievous,” he said.
