Saifuddin said this is to verify if the man, in his 30s, has dual citizenship, as reported.

“I will ask JPN to investigate his records in collaboration with the Thai authorities,” Berita Harian reported him as saying in Melaka today.

The suspect – a former import player for the Kelantan football team – had turned himself in to Thai police on Monday night.

Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said the suspect had allegedly carried out the attack with his younger brother, who remains at large.

Saifuddin said dual citizenships are a long-standing issue in border areas, despite not being recognised under Malaysian law.

He said it is time for the government to review its approach to dual citizenships.

“We are looking for the best formula to resolve this. The government is clear in its stand that Malaysia does not recognise dual citizenships, in line with the provisions of the Federal Constitution,” he said.