By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : Some 3,513 citizenship applications have been approved from April 9-Oct 20 since Hishammuddin Tun Hussein took over the Home Ministry (KDN).
Another 11,573 applications were still being processed within the same period, Hishammuddin said in a written reply to a question by Teng Boon Soon (BN-Tebrau) in Dewan Rakyat (Lower House) on Wednesday.
“The processing of citizenship applications takes a long time as it involves several stages as stipulated by the federal constitution,” he added.
Teng had asked how many citizenship applications had been approved since Hishammuddin became home minister.
Hishammuddin said the ministry was trying to process the remaining citizenship applications so that a decision could be made fast.
Meanwhile, his deputy Wira Abu Seman Yusop said the government was studying the Police Act 1967 including Section 27 and other laws pertaining to assembly.
“The government and ministry plan to allow public assembly at specific places but this will need amending the act,” he said in reply to a question by Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (PAS-Parit Buntar).
Dr Mujahid had asked when KDN would allow peaceful assembly at stadiums to strike a balance between the right to assembly and public security.