In debating the proposed citizenship law amendments today, Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) said citizenship should be more than just about living in the country or paying taxes.

“Becoming a citizen should involve proving your dedication and commitment to Malaysia,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

Khairil said prospective citizens or permanent residents should go through strenuous tests to gauge their loyalty to the country, on top of their mastery of the Malay language.

“Citizenships should be exclusive, not inclusive. It is an honour and comes with a price,” he said.

A revamped iteration of PLKN is set to commence in June next year, and will reportedly cost Putrajaya less than RM100 million a year, as opposed to RM500 million annually previously.

The programme had been criticised by various quarters in the past and was abolished by the former Pakatan Harapan government in 2018.

Separately, Khairil urged the government to come up with specific guidelines that would effectively measure an applicant’s mastery of Malay. 

He said this would ensure that new citizens are well-integrated into the cultural fabric of the country as Malay is the national language and a “unifying force” for Malaysians.