Why are MyKAS holders currently ineligible for Malaysian citizenship?

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MyKAS Holders Are Not Currently Eligible for Malaysian Citizenship Due to a Lack of Defined Procedures and Policies

The National Registration Department (NRD) has indicated that there are no established procedures or policies in place that would allow holders of the MyKAS (Malaysian Card for Temporary Residents) to apply for Malaysian citizenship. This lack of a defined pathway means individuals like Gopal Muniandy, who holds a MyKAS, are ineligible to pursue citizenship at this time.
Absence of Specific Procedures for MyKAS Holders

The NRD has consistently stated that there are no available procedures for MyKAS holders to become Malaysian citizens. Official correspondence, including a letter from 2018, informed Gopal that his application for Malaysian citizenship could not be considered because there was no existing provision or policy to enable MyKAS holders to apply for permanent resident status, a prerequisite for citizenship by naturalisation. This suggests a systemic gap in the legal and administrative framework concerning the integration of temporary residents into the citizenry.
Ongoing Study and Lack of Policy Guidelines

In 2013, the NRD indicated that a study was being conducted on temporary residents, with the expectation that a guideline would be issued. It was stated that MyKad applications would be considered once such a guideline was received. However, as of 2019, the government had yet to determine any procedure for MyKAS holders to apply for Malaysian citizenship, highlighting the prolonged absence of a clear policy. The article does not provide an outcome or timeline for the study mentioned.
Ineligibility Based on Temporary Resident Status

In 2013, the NRD explicitly stated that Gopal's status as a temporary resident holding a MyKAS rendered him ineligible to apply for Malaysian citizenship. This position has been reiterated in subsequent communications. The general practice in Malaysia, as implied by the legal arguments presented in court cases, is that an individual typically needs to secure permanent resident status before being eligible to apply for citizenship through naturalisation under Article 19 of the Federal Constitution. MyKAS holders, by definition of their status, have not met this requirement.

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Why are MyKAS holders currently ineligible for Malaysian citizenship?

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