Kuala Lumpur, Oct 31 Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has said that the Home Ministry has approved citizenship for 2,220 out of the 3,335 applications by the Indian community.

Addressing a function organized by the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI), Razak said: The applications were approved since the applicants had been loyal to this country and some had been waiting many years to become Malaysian citizens."

Razak also said that the decision was influenced by the hard work that the Indian community did to earn a decent living, which has also contributed to the development of country.

The Prime Minister further said that he has urged the Home Ministry to step up the process to approve outstanding applications made by the Indians.

"I have asked the ministry to look into the problem relating to the application of citizenship, permanent resident and the problem of late registration faced by the Indian community," Bernama quoted Razak, as saying.

Earlier, the Malaysian Goverment had promised to resolve 80 per cent of the 93,360 delayed birth registration cases, 32,927 alaysian citizenship applications and 16,812 entry permit applications before 2010. (ANI)