Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today defended the proposed Malay language proficiency test for citizenship applicants, emphasizing that the process would be conversational rather than a strict or formal interview.
The initiative is part of a broader constitutional amendment currently being discussed in Parliament, aimed at revising the process for granting Malaysian citizenship.
Saifuddin clarified the nature of the test, noting that it would not follow a rigid format. He shared his personal experience of attending such an interview, explaining that the questions are not just mechanical or formulaic, such as asking for one's full name or address. Instead, the test will feature a more relaxed approach, using pictures as prompts to assess basic language skills and cultural knowledge.
For instance, we might show the applicant a picture of a popular snack like muruku and ask, What celebration is this associated with? If they answer ‘Deepavali,’ they’ve demonstrated their understanding. Similarly, we could show them a picture of traditional dishes like ketupat and satay, and ask, When do people typically eat these? A response of ‘during Hari Raya’ shows their familiarity with the culture, Saifuddin explained during a press conference at the Parliament building.
According to Saifuddin, the test is designed to be straightforward, and applicants can pass with a score as low as three or four out of eight. He reiterated that this test would be a mandatory requirement for all those seeking Malaysian citizenship.
He further emphasized that language proficiency is a standard requirement for citizenship in many countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. If someone wants to become a Malaysian citizen, it is reasonable that they should have basic language skills in the national language, Saifuddin said.
To ensure that the test is not overly challenging, Saifuddin explained that the use of pictures would simplify the process. For example, applicants might be shown a picture of the Petronas Twin Towers and asked to identify its location. Auntie, do you know where this is?’ And she responds, ‘In Kuala Lumpur.’ Simple as that. This way, we’re gauging not only their language abilities but also their general knowledge of Malaysia,” he added.
Saifuddin also addressed concerns about the difficulty of the previous interview method, which he noted had been criticized for being too rigid. Earlier this year, he acknowledged that the language test and interview process conducted by the Home Ministry and the National Registration Department were overly structured, making it difficult for applicants to relax and perform well, especially older individuals.
He highlighted the need for a more relaxed approach, saying, We don’t want the interview process to be too regimented or technical. It should be more ‘santai’ (relaxed), especially since we’ve seen many applicants, particularly those above 80 years old, become nervous during the process.
This conversational style of testing, he believes, will ease the stress of the citizenship application process and ensure that applicants are judged fairly based on their basic knowledge of the Malay language and Malaysian culture.
Source: Saifuddin Nasution insists BM test for citizenship as basic as when to eat ‘ketupat and satay’
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