Saifuddin Refutes Mass Citizenship Allegations, Denies 1.2 Million Chinese Nationals Overstayed in Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA, August 19 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has strongly refuted persistent claims alleging that the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) granted mass citizenship to foreign nationals, while dismissing allegations that 1.2 million Chinese nationals have illegally remained in the country.

Expressing concern over the ongoing recirculation of misleading content, Saifuddin noted that despite providing repeated explanations backed by official data, certain quarters continue to intentionally recirculate old videos, posters, and narratives to deceive the public.

“I have repeatedly rejected these claims and have provided explanations backed by facts and official data. Yet some parties continue to deliberately recycle videos, posters and narratives that have already been corrected to confuse the public and stir racial tensions and hatred,” Saifuddin said in a statement published on his official social media accounts today.

The Home Minister stressed that the official facts regarding citizenship applications and immigration records have been documented extensively in previous Ministry releases and media briefings.

Highlighting the wider societal risks posed by viral disinformation, Saifuddin cautioned that the intentional spread of false narratives carries consequences far beyond political disputes, threatening public harmony and national stability.

“The dissemination of such defamatory claims not only tarnishes the reputation of individuals or institutions, but more worryingly, can undermine public confidence in state institutions, stir racial hatred, disrupt public order and threaten national security,” he added.

Saifuddin urged the public and political figures alike to cease manipulating sensitive national issues for political expediency or social media engagement. He reminded citizens to verify information through verified channels before sharing unverified posts online.

“I also call on the public to check the accuracy of information with official sources before accepting or sharing it. Use social media responsibly. Facts are facts, and data is data. Do not let false claims override the truth,” Saifuddin stated.

The Home Minister’s clarification comes after several viral infographics and social media posts re-emerged across digital platforms, alleging that KDN had issued Malaysian citizenship en masse to foreign nationals.

–NMT