KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has defended the government's decision to grant Malaysian citizenship to foreign footballers, revealing that the applicants were coached in basic Malay before interviews, and could have their time overseas counted as residency in Malaysia.
Speaking during a townhall session at UiTM Kedah on Tuesday, Saifuddin said the Home Ministry acted within the Federal Constitution when approving citizenship applications under Article 19, which covers naturalisation.
His remarks come amid continued scrutiny of the citizenship process following sanctions imposed by FIFA on the FA of Malaysia (FAM) over falsified documents involving seven foreign-born players.
Saifuddin acknowledged that the applicants from countries such as Argentina had not lived in Malaysia for the required period, but said the Home Minister had constitutional powers to grant exemptions.
"He is from Argentina. Was there any period of residing in this country? The answer is no," Saifuddin told the audience.
"However, under the Federal Constitution, the Home Minister can grant an exemption. That means the period he was in Argentina or Spain can be considered as residing in our country. This is the Federal Constitution, not something Saifuddin made up."
On the requirement for applicants to have "adequate knowledge of the Malay language", Saifuddin said the law did not require fluency, describing the standard as subjective.
"Adequate knowledge is subjective. Typically, for this category, our practice is that we coach them before the interview: 'Apa khabar?' (How are you?), they answer 'Khabar baik' (I am well). 'Terima kasih' (Thank you), they answer 'Sama-sama' (You are welcome). That is the current practice," he said.
"It does not say fluent, nor does it require in-depth knowledge. It says adequate. If they understand, we pass them," he added.
Saifuddin said the Home Ministry's responsibility ended once the citizenship process, which includes police security clearance, language assessment and administrative approval, was completed.
"Whether he can play for Malaysia or not, that is FAM's business. Whatever documents FAM submits to register with FIFA, that is their affair, not the Home Ministry's.
"Whether they qualify or what documents FAM sent to FIFA is no longer my responsibility. Can I answer on behalf of FAM? No, because that falls under FIFA's charter. Let their president answer that," he added.
The controversy erupted in September last year when FIFA found that FAM had used falsified documents to establish the eligibility of seven foreign-born players to represent Malaysia. The players — Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel — had featured in Malaysia's 4-0 win over Vietnam in a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier on June 10, 2025, among others.
FIFA fined FAM CHF350,000 (about RM1.8 million) and handed each player a 12-month suspension. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later ruled in March that the suspensions would apply only to official matches, allowing the players to continue training and taking part in other football-related activities. The 12-month bans are due to reach their end later this month.
The case has continued to draw attention to FAM's handling of player eligibility documents and the process used to grant citizenship to foreign-born footballers. FAM president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said last month that he would meet Saifuddin to seek clarification on the players' citizenship and passport status, as the matter falls outside the football body's jurisdiction.
With the players nearing the end of their suspensions, the scandal continues to cast a shadow over Malaysian football, raising questions about accountability, citizenship approval and the steps needed to restore confidence in Harimau Malaya.
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