Enforce Fair Bm Proficiency Standards For All Malaysians

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YOURSAY | ‘Why are some held to a different standard?’
‘Heritage’ players don’t speak BM, but passed citizenship language test: Fifa
Milshah: Bahasa Malaysia is the official language of the country. It is a prerequisite for citizenship. In other words, without BM, one cannot become a Malaysian citizen. But is it truly necessary to tie language so tightly to citizenship?
There are many Malaysians who speak BM poorly, yet they are still considered citizens. We express outrage when foreigners cannot speak BM, but we overlook the fact that some Malaysians themselves struggle with the language.
My concern is this: foreigners might argue, “I don’t speak BM, but neither do some Malaysians. So why should I be held to a different standard? Isn’t English more practical?”
Given the recent public outcry over foreigners allegedly gaining citizenship without adequate BM proficiency, and to prevent these individuals from pointing fingers at Malaysians who also lack fluency, the government must take decisive action. It must ensure that all Malaysians - regardless of origin - can read, write, and speak BM.
Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa (Language is at the heart of the nation).
OrangMouse9413: There may be a loophole that Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail could exploit to justify the language test results. It’s possible that the reading component was optional or left to the discretion of the officer conducting the test.
Malaysiakini should investigate this by reaching out to individuals who have taken the citizenship test, as well as current and former government officials, to clarify whether reading proficiency is a mandatory requirement. Samples of the reading materials would also be helpful.
As for the speaking test, it may now be irrelevant. Anticipating scrutiny, the players in question could have undergone intensive BM training - perhaps orchestrated by their handlers, assuming they were competent enough to prepare them.
Shame on the players for playing the victim card - and kudos to the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) for calling them out. Surely, they would have known whether their grandparents were born in Malaysia. Unless, of course, they claim to have been misled by agents or family members.
GanMu: Truth always prevails. It may remain hidden for years, but eventually, it comes to light. Fifa has consistently spoken the truth, relying solely on the facts presented. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), however, is now in a bind.
Alongside them are the players, the National Registration Department (NRD), and the Home Ministry. Some may plead ignorance, but the facts suggest a deliberate attempt to deceive Fifa into accepting seven players as Malaysians eligible to represent the country.
This NRD statement only proves my point: “All required documents were submitted by the applicants and official copies were issued based on the evidence, the process also confirmed residency in Malaysia, sufficient knowledge of Malay, and good conduct.”
The director-general even claimed that “all procedures were carried out in full compliance with Malaysian law and constitutional requirements.” What does that even mean? This is clearly not in compliance with the law. Even the minister himself stated that the players knew BM.
Let’s be clear: the scandal has erupted. No number of cover-ups or appeals will absolve FAM of its disgraceful actions. This is a national scandal. All parties involved must be held accountable, starting with their immediate removal.
This is the first step toward restoring national dignity. The cabinet must urgently convene a special meeting to address the fallout. There is no doubt in the public’s mind: FAM, the NRD director-general of NRD, and the Home Ministry must be removed without delay.
Indigo Trout 2522: This is a massive embarrassment for Malaysia and a glaring example of corruption on an international scale. Rather than pursuing appeals, the Malaysian government should admit its wrongdoing, correct the situation, and move forward.
Fifa is conducting its own investigation, and if the outcome is a guilty verdict, the damage will extend beyond football to other sports, including the Olympics. The consequences could be far-reaching.
Violet Quokka 1493: The entire citizenship process was completed at lightning speed - so fast that it would shock any decent citizen. Thousands who have waited years for citizenship must be cringing at the blatant fraud and criminality carried out by FAM and the NRD.
As the Perak sultan rightly said, the country is being destroyed from within. The conspiracy between FAM and the NRD to bypass constitutional requirements should be treated as a criminal offence. The heads of both institutions must face criminal investigation and prosecution.
TM My Foot: Saifuddin, you used your discretion to grant citizenship to those seven players and claimed they passed the language test. Wow! You are good at spinning. Now, Fifa is dismantling your claims one by one.
These players didn’t even meet the residency requirements, while many others - born and raised in Malaysia - are still being denied citizenship. It’s now clear that the NRD has been complicit in this humiliating episode.
We doubt you’ll resign voluntarily. This is a slap in the face to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim - not that he seems to care. - Mkini

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