Cmon, be serious, people.
Technically, there is a path to citizenship but I have never heard of anyone getting it, including people born in Malaysia long ago but lacking acceptable proof because paperwork was lost or missing or never properly completed--according to only the government, not the family involved.
PR....again there is a technical path but who actually gets it? Very, very few. You need to be here 10 years before trying for PR, and then, as applicants have reported in other blogs, you apply and the years roll by and no answer from Immigration. I personally know someone who has been waiting 10 years for an answer and Immigration wont even give a reason for the "delay." Such cases are hardly rare. Who gets it? VIPS who are willing to drop millions in the country, and/or political or trade friends. Jim Rogers, an american economist now in Singapore, put USD200 million in a Singapore bank and got citizenship the next day. Thats who actually gets these things.
The government has good reason to curtail this--votes. 500,000 new °µÍø½ûÇøs per year getting citizenship could wipe out UMNO for good. Malaysia will never take that chance.
Im here nearly 18 years and just for laughs, when I was in Immigration last year for my visa, I asked about applying. I swear, the clerk just laughed and said, "well, you can try! ROFL." I just winked and walked out.
But this is also a reason not to stay here. Ive found an alternative country I like very much that WILL give citizenship in 2 years, under simple and easy conditions. I'm planning to do it. Lets face it, if you live in a country, pay taxes, live exactly as others do, why shouldnt you have an honest chance at citizenship and the ensuing rights, including the right to vote? Its just logic. But Malaysia doesnt run on logic, it runs on fear.
My country allows dual citizenship and I dont plan to give it up. But I do plan to stop carrying my passport and use a new one which will open doors like the ability to open a bank account and own property in my name at the same financial level as every other citizen, very unlike Malaysia.
So, what should anyone do? I would say that if you desire and qualify for MM2H or similar thing, go ahead and try that. Something more? Highly doubtful or even impossible. Dont hold your breath. Instead, then, try for an alternative place that really desires to treat you better and not mess up your life in the process. Life is short, and Malaysia couldnt care less if you live or die. Malaysia doesnt want citizens and PRs, it wants you to drop as many tourist dollars as it can clean you out of and then pitch you to the wind. And, from Malaysia's point of view, it sincerely hopes thats OK with you.