It is shocking that in the past 7 years (2001 - 2008) ,Entry Permits have been only been issued to 8,600 foreign spouses (and their children) - when it is estimated that there may be at least 100,000 foreign spouses in Malaysia today. The Minister, in his reply to Parliament failed to give us the other important statistics - i.e. the number of foreign spouses in the country today...who have still not got their Entry Permit.
MORE than 8,600 foreigners, who are the spouses and children of Malaysians, have been given entry permits to stay in the country. Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said 2,439 of them were Thais. The second largest group of 1,955 were Indonesians, followed by Indians, 1,785, Singaporeans, 846, Filipinos, 578 and other nationalities, 1,019. These permits were issued from 2001 to last year. Syed Hamid was replying to a question by Tan Ah Eng (BN-Gelang Patah). - New Straits Times, 12/3/2009, Entry permits for foreign spouses
As soon as the marriages are registered in Malaysia, foreign spouses of Malaysians should immediately be given Entry Permits, which would give them permanent residence status.
A marriage in our Asian context, is not just a bonding with 2 individuals, having responsibility only for each other and for children of their marriage. In our Asian context, marriage is also the 'marrying of 2 families' - and hence the responsibilities of a spouse also extends to the parents and family of the other spouse as well.
In the event, that there is an unexpected death of the Malaysian spouse (before the foreign spouse has been here more than 5 years and have had obtained her Entry Permit), the current situation in Malaysia will not allow the foreign spouse to continue to remain here in Malaysia and look after children of her marriage (who will be all Malaysians) and/or the parents/relatives/dependents of her now deceased Malaysian spouse. And this is definitely not right.
The foreign spouse then may have to uproot her Malaysian children - and go back to their country of origin. Is this right? But, the problem is that even if the foreign parent wishes to stay in Malaysia, with the children, it is generally not possible...considering her ability to remain in Malaysia depended on her Malaysian spouse being alive.
The foreign spouse then may have to leave the elderly parents/dependents of her now deceased Malaysian spouse and leave the country...
The foreign spouse may also have to leave the matrimonial home in Malaysia and go back...
And, that is why there must be a change in the law, and Entry Permits must be issued to the foreign spouse on the point of registration of a marriage. (Of course, Entry Permits could always be revoked later - if there is fraud, etc...)
In the event, that there is an unexpected death of the Malaysian spouse (before the foreign spouse has been here more than 5 years and have had obtained her Entry Permit), the current situation in Malaysia will not allow the foreign spouse to continue to remain here in Malaysia and look after children of her marriage (who will be all Malaysians) and/or the parents/relatives/dependents of her now deceased Malaysian spouse. And this is definitely not right.
The foreign spouse then may have to uproot her Malaysian children - and go back to their country of origin. Is this right? But, the problem is that even if the foreign parent wishes to stay in Malaysia, with the children, it is generally not possible...considering her ability to remain in Malaysia depended on her Malaysian spouse being alive.
The foreign spouse then may have to leave the elderly parents/dependents of her now deceased Malaysian spouse and leave the country...
The foreign spouse may also have to leave the matrimonial home in Malaysia and go back...
And, that is why there must be a change in the law, and Entry Permits must be issued to the foreign spouse on the point of registration of a marriage. (Of course, Entry Permits could always be revoked later - if there is fraud, etc...)
| Entry Permit (EP) is a permit issued to foreigners who are not citizen of Malaysia entering to reside in this country. Those who have been issued with EP are exempted from applying for any type of Pass either for employment or other purpose. | ||||||||||
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Discrimination also happens now - with this new policy to get Malaysians with skills/expertise now working overseas back to Malaysia.
As a lure, the government is giving their foreign spouses and children Entry Permits within 6 months from the date of application. Sometimes, these applications can also be made before the actual return.
For Malaysians who have been living(working, etc...) in this country all the while, their foreign spouses will only get their Entry Permits after more than 5 years have lapsed. No time is also specified as to when they will get the Entry Permit after submission of their applications.
As a lure, the government is giving their foreign spouses and children Entry Permits within 6 months from the date of application. Sometimes, these applications can also be made before the actual return.
For Malaysians who have been living(working, etc...) in this country all the while, their foreign spouses will only get their Entry Permits after more than 5 years have lapsed. No time is also specified as to when they will get the Entry Permit after submission of their applications.
This Discrimination must end...
This is an issue concerning children...and it must be a priority
This is an issue concerning the elderly...and it must be a priority
This is an issue concerning family ...and Asian values...and it must be a priority.
With regard to foreign spouses of Malaysians, there should also be no more requirement for Work Permits of any kind, upon the receipt of Entry Permits.
Read also my earlier posting/s on this matter:- Foreign spouses should get PR status on registration of marriage
Read also my earlier posting/s on this matter:- Foreign spouses should get PR status on registration of marriage
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