Home Ministry refutes recycled claims of ‘mass’ citizenship grants

SHAH ALAM - The Home Ministry has denied claims that citizenship was granted on a ‘mass’ basis to foreigners, including an allegation that 1.2 million Chinese nationals did not leave Malaysia after entering the country.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the claims had been denied and clarified several times since last year based on official facts and data.

He said certain parties continued to recycle videos, posters and narratives that had already been corrected, with the intention of confusing the public while stoking racial and hatred sentiments.

“The claim that the Home Ministry had granted citizenship on a mass basis to foreigners or that 1.2 million Chinese nationals did not leave Malaysia is untrue.

“This matter has been officially clarified, and the facts can be referred to through my own statements as well as media reports,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Saifuddin said the spread of baseless claims not only tarnished the reputation of individuals or institutions, but also had the potential to erode public trust in national institutions.

He added that the dissemination of defamatory claims could also fuel racial hatred, disrupt public order and threaten national security.

“I remind all parties to stop spreading defamatory claims and not to exploit sensitive issues for political interests or to gain attention on social media.

“I also urge the public to verify the authenticity of information through official sources before believing or sharing it,” he said.