Dewan Rakyat News In Brief: Dec 5

KDN RECEIVES 39,829 CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS FROM 2019 TO SEPT 30 THIS YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry (KDN) received a total of 39,829 citizenship applications from 2019 to Sept 30 this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said of the total, 6,018 applications were approved through the issuance of citizenship certificates.

Meanwhile, he said the KDN had issued 17,452 citizenship decisions as of Oct 1, surpassing the ministry's target of 17,000 applications, which included both pending and current-year applications.

He said this in reply to a question from Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas) regarding the number of outstanding Malaysian citizenship applications at the end of 2022, the number of such cases processed and approved to date, as well as the number of applications received from 2023 to September 2024.

-- BERNAMA

MPs URGE ALL PARTIES TO SUPPORT AMENDMENTS TO ACT 588

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Several members of Parliament urged all parties to support the MADANI Government’s move to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) to address crimes on social media, including fraud, online gambling and child abuse sexual material.

Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi said that the proposed amendment aims to protect Malaysians, particularly children and teenagers, from the growing threats on digital platforms.

“We are confident that the MADANI Government can strengthen law enforcement to combat illegal activities on social media platforms and curb the spread of prohibited materials that pose a threat to public safety.

“This measure also aims to hold digital platforms accountable for monitoring content and preventing abuse, while helping to create a safer, more responsible, and harmonious digital environment for all members of society,” he told a press conference at the Parliament building today, which was also attended by Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim.

-- BERNAMA