Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto also listed other suggestions, including setting a key performance index (KPI) target for citizenship applications and a two-week response window to notify applicants that their documents are being processed, on top of a 90-day processing period.

In a statement, she said the home minister must also state the reasons why applications were rejected or denied so that the applicants may resubmit their documents accordingly.

“Many have submitted complete documentation and are awaiting their citizenships through the stroke of the pen held by the home minister. He must be bound by a time frame to do that and not at his whim and fancy,” she said.

Kasthuri said though the matter of awarding citizenship to any person was considered “significant”, there also had to be a mechanism in place to ensure the applicant did not have to “wait for decades”.

“Many who were born during the Malaya period and post-independence are still waiting for a response – if they were successful with their applications or not.

“The crux of the issue here is the discriminatory practice of awarding citizenship to whoever the minister approves or fancies, in spite of glaring doubts on their eligibility.

“There must be no discrimination whatsoever – based on gender, language, ethnicity and age – in the processing and approval of citizenship of people who wish to be Malaysians,” she said.

She also suggested the setting up of a cross-ministry committee including the women, family and community development, and education ministries for a holistic approach in the granting of citizenship to foreign spouses and decisions on such matters as children in orphanages and senior citizens in homes.

She said the government must also come up with clear SOPs for children, especially those going to school.