Immigration denies easy citizenship claim
Published: Sep 22, 2011 11:14 AM | Updated: Sep 22, 2011 11:16 AM
The Immigration Department has denied news reports quoting a questionable Bangladeshi government website article which claimed that its citizens were easily obtaining Malaysian citizenship on condition that they support BN.
The Immigration Department has denied news reports quoting a questionable Bangladeshi government website article which claimed that its citizens were easily obtaining Malaysian citizenship on condition that they support BN.
In a statement today, the department’s director Alias Ahmad said that the department would not allow foreign workers with temporary work permits to apply for permanent residency.
He said that this disproves reports by Malaysian Chronicle and Malaysian Insider on Sept 17 which quoted claims made in the website of the NGO Affairs Bureau of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s Office.
The article quoted “high placed” sources which which said that Bangladeshis working in Malaysia had easy access to citizenship but must support the ruling BN government.
However, the article was taken down soon after it was reported, purportedly by a hacker.
Alias said that his department was compelled to rebut the allegations and prove that the process of obtaining permanent residency or citizenship was rigorous.
Stringent requirements
He said that under the Immigration Act 1963, only spouses married to Malaysians and their children below six years of age, who have stayed in Malaysia for five years, are allowed to apply for permanent residency.
There are two more categories of foreigners who are eligible for permanent residency - high net worth individuals or investors, and professionals.
For the investors category, the applicant must have a US$2 million (RM6.2 million) fixed deposit in a local bank which cannot be withdrawn in five years.
Applicants who have invested RM15 million in Malaysian assets are eligible as well.
As for professionals or specialists, applicants must have technical skills which are internationally recognised or possess skills in critical fields as determined by the relevant regulatory agencies.
In a statement today, the department’s director Alias Ahmad said that the department would not allow foreign workers with temporary work permits to apply for permanent residency. He said that this disproves reports by Malaysian Chronicle and Malaysian Insider on Sept 17 which quoted claims made in the website of the NGO Affairs Bureau of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s Office.
The article quoted “high placed” sources which which said that Bangladeshis working in Malaysia had easy access to citizenship but must support the ruling BN government.
However, the article was taken down soon after it was reported, purportedly by a hacker.
Alias said that his department was compelled to rebut the allegations and prove that the process of obtaining permanent residency or citizenship was rigorous.
Stringent requirements
He said that under the Immigration Act 1963, only spouses married to Malaysians and their children below six years of age, who have stayed in Malaysia for five years, are allowed to apply for permanent residency.
There are two more categories of foreigners who are eligible for permanent residency - high net worth individuals or investors, and professionals.
For the investors category, the applicant must have a US$2 million (RM6.2 million) fixed deposit in a local bank which cannot be withdrawn in five years.
Applicants who have invested RM15 million in Malaysian assets are eligible as well.
As for professionals or specialists, applicants must have technical skills which are internationally recognised or possess skills in critical fields as determined by the relevant regulatory agencies.
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