“JPN would like to inform the public that the programme circulated does not involve the department in any way.

“It is not jointly organised with JPN, and there was no invitation for JPN’s participation in the said programme,” it said in a statement.

The department also said citizenship applications can only be made at JPN office counters by the applicants in person.

“JPN consistently emphasises that the granting of citizenship is the highest honour by the Malaysian government to those who are truly eligible and meet the requirements.

“The process is subject to the Federal Constitution and current legislation to ensure the country’s sovereignty and security are maintained,” it said.

Earlier, X user @RMalanjum_ posted about the number of people granted citizenship with the help of the Penang Citizenship Programme.

He asked whether DAP had taken over the function of JPN, referring to the Facebook page of programme director Yeap Choon Keong, who posts regularly about stateless children gaining citizenship.