DIFFICULT FOR M'SIANS WHO GIVE UP CITIZENSHIP TO GET IT BACK

ROME, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysians who gave up their citizenship would
face difficulty when re-applying for the status, said Deputy Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said it was imperative that they give it serious thought before
"discarding" their citizenship to take up residence in other countries.

He said, such action (to give up the citizenship) by some Malaysians was on
their own accord, and not the government which made the decision.

"It would be quite difficult for those who renounced their citizenship to
regain it," he said during a dialogue session with the Malaysian community in
Italy Tuesday night.

Muhyiddin was responding to a question whether the government would consider
re-instating the status of Malaysians who had renounced their citizenship.

Also present at the dialogue session were Agriculture and Agro-based
Industry Minister Noh Omar, Malaysian Ambassador to Italy, Ramli Naam, and
Muhyiddin's wife, Noorainee Abdul Rahman.

The deputy prime minister is here to attend the three-day World Summit on
Food Security 2009 which began Monday.

Muhyiddin said, he was aware of some Malaysians who had chosen to give up
their citizenship, but later wanted it back because of many factors, including
becoming homesick.

"Of course, they can re-apply for it but there is no guarantee that they can
get back their citizenship as it is a serious matter," he added.

In a related matter, Muhyiddin urged Malaysians who worked abroad for many
years and gained sufficient experience, to return and serve the country.

Earlier in his speech, Muhyiddin called on Malaysians working abroad to play
the role of goodwill ambassadors and promote the country.

"I heard, some of you have restaurants selling Malaysian food here. It is
one of the examples where you can project the image of the country," he added.
-- BERNAMA