KUALA LUMPUR, October 17 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today reaffirmed the necessity of a Malay language proficiency test for citizenship applications, emphasizing that it would be simple and conversational. Speaking at a press conference in Parliament, Saifuddin described the test as informal, using picture prompts to gauge basic cultural knowledge, such as identifying common Malaysian festivities through food like ketupat and satay for Hari Raya.
The proposal is part of a broader constitutional amendment aimed at revising Malaysia’s citizenship process. Saifuddin highlighted that the test would be similar to language requirements in countries like the UK, US, and Australia. He added that the interview would be more relaxed, addressing concerns that previous methods were too rigid, especially for elderly applicants. The test aims to assess basic national knowledge, ensuring applicants are familiar with key cultural and national symbols.
