Letters
by B.R.
It is almost unimaginable the daily trauma that is faced by them, some of them are born overseas but were unable to get registered at the Malaysian high commission or embassy within the stipulated time. They are faced with daily trauma, which includes inability to attend local schools, universities, long waits at immigration to get a visa, when in actual fact they are Malaysians.
I, for one, am a spouse of a Malaysian citizen and 15 years down the line, I am accorded worse treatment than an illegal for at least illegals, after a while, do get amnesty, not spouses. There are many of us here, for 12-20 years still on a dependent pass or on an employment pass and still waiting for years and even decades, not for citizenship but for a mere Permanent Resident status.
Foreign spouses find life in Malaysia really difficult because of inadequate measures for good governance. The laws, if any, are so grey that it varies in interpretation from immigration officer to officer.
Many of us even have to resort to merely doing volunteer service, though it is a necessity to be an income earner. Some of us lucky ones manage to get an employment pass on the spouse visa but not many employers are prepared to employ a foreign spouse due to the tedious paperwork. Only employers with a paid up capital of over RM200K can employ us. Many even exploit us and pay some measly sum as token salary. When we wish to change jobs, there is a cooling off period to cool our heels for six months. Life in Malaysia is near traumatic for us and here’s more..
This is not ‘Ripley’s Believe it or Not’ but it is faster to get an employment pass for a domestic maid than for a foreign spouse in Malaysia! Similar is the case for extensions of our visa, long waits that stretch from hours to days though yes, we are the spouses of Malaysian citizens.
We have to pay double charges at government hospitals even when we are delivering Malaysian citizens. We have to pay fees as foreigners to study in a public university. Even a visit to KLCC’s Aquaria would require us to pay tourist rates while the rest of our family pays differently even though we are more Malaysian than most Malaysians.
We have to carry our passports wherever we go but students, foreign workers and (if I am not mistaken) even domestic maids get an I-card. A foreign spouse housewife cannot even open an account in some of the Malaysian banks, we cannot deposit money through the ATM because our bank account is called an external account – such is the poor treatment for foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens.
Oh wait, we forgot to mention the yearly visits to the Immigration Department – in fact, it is a joke of sorts amongst spouses, that the ‘Immigration Department is our Second Home programme’! Long waits, irrespective of infants in our hands and some have to travel from various states to Putrajaya just to get a spouse visa.
By the way, we have to be accompanied by our spouses to the Immigration Department when the submission is being done and this process can take up to 6-7 hours. More often for submission and approval, it takes several visits, never mind that the spouse has just given a declaration that we are still married in front of a commissioner for oaths.
Why are we so neglected? We take care of our Malaysian families, the future Malaysian generations, yet we are a forgotten segment of Malaysian society.
Husbands of Malaysian women have it even worse and we understand that Chinese spouses from China are not even allowed to apply for PR status. Many Malaysians with foreign spouses have left the country in sheer frustration. Many of us are highly-educated and are professionals, and we cannot even get jobs here, so why would we undergo so much hardship for so many years? Only for our families. So stop treating us like criminals.
The home affairs minister is the only approving authority for PR, and only a few approvals are given per month – is this a fair deal when there are a few thousand still waiting? Something is very wrong in the system then. We also know that priority is given for those applying for the more lucrative ‘Malaysia My Second Home’ programme.
So now it boils down to the fact that only money talks. If in Sabah and Sarawak, foreigners have easily been given MyKads, why can’t this be done for foreign spouses?
In this is a global environment, where travel is so much easier and national boundaries are getting more seamless, the Home Ministry and Immigration should be looking into its policies and engage themselves with practises that reflect good governance. It is only appropriate that spouses of Malaysians should be given fair status and that there be rational rules and regulations.
I have not touched on what happens in cases where there is separation or divorce. Do the children have to relocate to the non-Malaysian parent’s home country because that parent’s visa in Malaysia will not get extended?
What needs immediate attention is the immigration law itself for foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens. Today in countries such as UK, the US, Australia and nearer home in Singapore, no more than two years of living together is required to secure PR status – marriage is not even a necessity in these countries.
What you have just read is not a work of fiction but the reality of life faced by foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens.
The government let so many Indonesians to come in Malaysia to do daily rob/stealing on the street illegally, and yet release them after they got catch by bribing the police, and yet not allowing proper foreign spouse to get PR status. It is yet another shame issue from Malaysia.
What’s the point at the end? The Home Office is busy dealing with the monthly visits by the foreign spouse and the Balai Polis is busy dealing with the 1000 rape/rob/stealing/break cases daily
Truely understand the dilemma as my husband is a foreigner. I have lived in Singapore with him, I knew abit of their policy on spouses, choosy and picky but they are more transparent and rejected cases are just as much as our approved case. At least we know the cases they have rejected mainly based on the ability of the foreign spouse to survived in Singapore rather than, for Malaysia you dont even know where to start least to say the requirement! I went thru once with my husband to check and get the PR form at one of the agent located at Wilayah Complex, the guy gave me a form with tons of docs to submit AND an Appeal form which I can submit to him together with theinitial application. I ask how come, since this would be my first submission? He replied reject punya la, tak payah tengok, jadi jangan buang masa, fill itu appeal form dan tunggu la?!?!?
My husband is a professional in Telecommunication and Telekom, Maxis etc pay millions in salary to get people with his talents to set up the bloody telecommunication system here! Instead of giving him a PR so that he could stay in Malaysia to contribute, they turn all talents away.
So, like BR said, we go the easy way and get him a visa under MM2H. And it not easy or cheap to buy a PR, so far I only knew two guys got the PR due one is the CEO of ING Insurance which he proudly display to us when he got it due to connection and the other guy, a french guy married a malay lady and got the PR in 6 years time! WELCOME TO MALAYSIA…..
Not only that, Malaysians living aboard also faced dilemma, simple thing like converting malaysia license. In Japan, they dont recognise malaysia passport reading machine just to proof them we had our license for at least 3 months and they even suspected our driving license as a fake, should you have a validity other than 1/3/5 years..all due to our efficient government failed to liaise properly and orderly with them?!?!
Nothing new la for malaysia
This is a problem..that UMNO seems to take things easy…..ignoring all the complaints ..for donkey years.
I have a friend..who married a woman..brought over from China..when she was 8 months old..and .now is 70 years old…married for more than 45 years to a Malaysian Chinese…can never get citizenship for the wife.
They got fed up..and moved to Singapore…and that may please UMNO…but husband comes back….faithfully voting for the oppositions..in every election.
The rumours that one million Indonesian were given citizenship….long long ago…have never been denied by UMNO.
UMNO have been faithfully…getting their race…up and up…by hook or by crook…to be one race…all powerful kind of country.
But man on the streets….really do not have any race and religion problems with each other.
Lets hope….next election..get rid of them..once and for all..and lets see all these racialist problems ..created..go away.
My personal experince… My girl friend from China paid me a visit a few months ago.i took a out for dinner and later to a karaoke joint.There was a raid by the police ..The next thing i knew ..The police took her to the balai ..She had to spent two nights in jail..they accuse her of being a prostitude..There was nothing i could do.after 2 days she was release without being charged at all.Next day she flew back to Singapore never to step in Malaysia ever again.Mind you she is a doctor working in Singapore.
Having read this letter by B.R, it does not take much to make one question the real value or attraction of the MM2H (Malaysia My 2nd Home) program. When even the spouse of a citizen is given such treatment what else can happen to a foreigner and/or the spouse.
It looks like MM2H is a BIG FARCE. I would not consider it even on my tenth thought.
Thank you posting this. The issue of foreign spouses is frequently overlooked and ignored by the local authorities. DAP should highlight this case and fight for foreign spouses rights.
And I am going to be blunt!
Most innocent females…brought to balai police are being threatened this or that…making most…so frighten… submitting to having sex..with them.
Especially Indonesian maids…I have heard so many said…they had to give sex…and get released!
Prostitutes rounded up..cannot escape free sex to them .I know…as I do support…slightly used virgins…trying to earn a living.to support their poor families.
My Indon maid…I made her wear a Buddhist gold chain…and dress her up with decent looking dresses. That helps..as not only so call police do not check her up…but many passer by Muslims…ignored her.
But of late….things have changed for the better…with news..educating females….to report.
I have a friend whose wife is from Hong Kong. She is a very very qualified System Analysis and also very experienced.
She has been on 6 months social pass for past 8 years, cannot work and wasted her talents. While we allow those Indonesian with “very qualify” experience to be a PR!
No wonder we are going down the drain and always loss to Singapore!
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/2008/05/local-vs-foreign-graduate.html
Sick to the core don’t you think YB?
Shiok Guy
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/
“What needs immediate attention is the immigration law itself for foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens. Today in countries such as UK, the US, Australia and nearer home in Singapore, no more than two years of living together is required to secure PR status – marriage is not even a necessity in these countries.”
In the U.S. there are more than one way of getting PR status (called the Green Card). Marriage to a U.S. citizen is just one of the ways – and the fastest. Your spouse files her or his petition (I-130) simultaneously with an application by you to adjust status (I-485) and about six months later after you are interviewed by CIS ( Customs and Immigration Services) and after proving that your marriage is bona fide, you are granted a conditional green card status, and after two years from the date of your marriage you get your green card or PR status – and three years from there you get your U.S. citizenship.
As a legal permanent resident of the U.S. you get to enjoy the same rights as the U.S. citizen except you cannot vote in elections and you are not eligible for some of the state benefits. You are not discriminated against for being a legal permanent resident when it comes to employment except when you are applying for government jobs. Most require employees to be U.S. citizens.
There is more incentive to be married to a U.S. citizen and a U.K. citizen than to be married to a Malaysian citizen.
There are of course “extra-legal” ways of gaining PR status for the more adventurous and for the rich and desperate! If you have US$40k (the going rate) to throw then grab the first single American tourist you see spending her holiday alone up in Cameron Highlands or Frasers’ Hill and make the offer she cannot refuse. You don’t have to live with her. Just take a few photographs of both of you holidaying and memorize each other’s eccentricities and armed with a marriage certificate, two years after entry to the U.S. you get your PR (or Green Card).
I share the same problem with BR. It is a nightmare if one has a foreign spouse living here. I am a Malaysian chinese married to a dutchman. A year ago, Najib said that those married to a malaysian can get a 5-year visa renewal. This is only for those working here. For those retired, it is only 6 months social visit pass. Applying for MM2H requires more than RM100k to be deposited in a bank. I don’t see this in other countries. There is
so much of controls in this country, even our love life is controlled especially when he has to renew his visa. We have to produce our passports to ensure we travel together.
For 8 long years staying here, he will never get a PR b’cos of the ruling – foreign spouse who follows the Malaysian wife will never ever think of getting a PR.
This is pure ruling discrimination. When can the government think likewise? Is our government so heartless? Malaysia boleh — it can break marriages as well.
In Msia, there is no well defined rule or law regarding PR application for foreign spouse, all is up to the “suka suka” mood of the immig. officer handling yr case.
Many talented Msian working oversea want to return, but pissed off by Msia law on foreign spouse, these spouse may hv doctorate, master degree, or expert in certain field, but all the same, Msia govt no care,
They say there is a shortage of skill/unskill labour, but the immig. law on foreign spouse suggest they would rather hv illegal flooding the job market than allow foreign spouse to hv job in msia.
Foreign wife even cannot help in husband’s shop, stall, what kind of law is this ??
Msia must be one of the most difficult country for non Muslim foreign spouse.
For Muslim Msian with muslim foreign spouse things are of course different lah!
I just got married to a British husband I met 3 years ago. Due to commitments to my family, my husband and I plan to move back to Malaysia for good in a few years time. He is willing to leave everything in the UK for me and hopefully could start a new life in Malaysia then. Instead of enjoying our new life in the UK together now, we worry every single day of how to get around moving back to Malaysia as planned. We do not want to disappoint my family and hoping that we can move back asap. If it is not for my family, I will really consider applying for British citizenship after 3 years. But that is not an option as my family comes first. I get so stressed up and depressed when thinking of how hard it can be for my husband to stay in Malaysia then and this will obviously affect our relationship in the long run. We are no wealthy people and infact working so hard now and can just hope we are able to fulfill a fixed deposit account of RM300,000 and he will also have to show proof of monthly off-shore income of RM10,000. He is not allowed to work in Malaysia if we opt for this program. What can we do? If we cannot make it back by the deadline set by my family, do we have to get a divorce or just maintain a long distance relationship then? We definitely cannot afford expensive air tickets to meet each other more than once a year. I’m going crazy and is really ashamed of the Malaysian government for making life so hard for genuine relationship like us. Is the government trying to chase it’s own citizens away to live in another country and never come back? My husband even told me that he will be kicked back to England one day if I die first and that he will have to build a new hard life there as he will be giving up his home and career for me to be back in Malaysia. Even that, he is still willing to take the chance just for me. This is so unfair.. is is how our government is treating us? Some of my English friends even told me that the Malaysian Government is just interested in foreigner’s money for investments under this program and not bothered with what happen to the Malaysian spouse like me. Malaysia should be proud that genuine foreign spouses are willing to reside and contribute to this country instead of pushing them away. We can just hope and pray that things will change for the better when the time comes. DAP plaese help desperate couple like us by highlighting this case and fight for foreign spouses rights.
Dear monsterball ,
“My Indon maid…I made her wear a Buddhist gold chain…and dress her up with decent looking dresses. That helps..as not only so call police do not check her up…but many passer by Muslims…ignored her.”
Coz you are Malaysian i’ll make it in Bahasa Malaysia.
Sekadar penjelasan :
1. Apabila bercakap di dalam laman web ini, saya lebih suka untuk bercakap mengenai hak asasi manusia. Adakah menyuruh pembantu rumah yang saya jangka Islam memakai ” Buddhist Gold Chain ” umpama memaksa orang lain beragama lain untuk mengikut cara kita. Di mana demokratik awak dalam urusan ini ? Adakah hanya sekadar dengar cakap bahawa ada maid dari Indonesia yang kena rogol sebagai balasan untuk dilepaskan terutama yang tanpa izin anda terus menghukum semua maid akan dirogol untuk dilepaskan.
Di mana bukti anda ? Adakah anda apabila mendengar bahawa suatu berita yang tidak diketahui akan terus menghukum kecuali jika anda fanatik terhadap sikap kiasu anda ?
2. Sebagai Islam izinkan saya terangkan bahawa dalam Islam adalah salah memakai pakaian atau perhiasan umpama penganut agama lain. Walaupun anda membayar maid anda tetapi tidak bermakna dia menjadi hamba anda…So be fair laa…
3. jangan kerana marahkan BN/UMNO anda terus menghukum dengan tanpa bukti. Jagalah keamanan kita demi ketuanan rakyat. Don’t be too chauvinist coz u think u are superior.
pity B.R., if she was a much “coveted Illegal Indonesian or Philipino” she would have gotten her citizenship by now.
Bodohland loves to import third world rejects.
Our immigration law is among the most primitive and there is no transparency in the process. We often hear about Malaysia having all the laws necessary but the problem is in their enforcement. However, when it comes to immigration law, it is still very much the law of the jungle.
We have some two million aliens in the country – both legal and illegal. It is time we rationalize and re-structure our Immigration Department to deal with changing conditions. It is time we set up Immigration courts i.e. administrative bodies which come under the Immigration Department instead of the Justice Department.
More and more Malaysians are getting married to foreign citizens and they have as much right to bring their foreign spouses to come live with them. Why should male spouses of Malaysian citizens, for example, be discriminated against? Wouldn’t this be interfering with the constitutional right to be treated as equal before the law?
All these shits are how UMNO the extremists control the non Muslim and Non-Malays population in Malaysia.
If you have the right religions and from the right third world primitive countries, you will be treated better than a Malaysian whom is non Malay and non Muslim!
I sympahatize with BR and others in the same predicament.For one I dont have much hope that this govt.will ever consider the plights of these spouses.How can they when there are no proper guidelines,its all a sort of discrimination.
I am a Malaysian citizen married to a Malaysian born doctor to an expatriate parents.Her father worked diligently for many years for RRI in the 70s.who managed to get the elusive Malaysian PR,through some political influence.It was a desperate attempt in his case,as after working for so many years he was told that his contract as engineer
would not be renewed anymore.He had 4 young school going children including my wife.
They could not go back to their war torn country,after many rejections, through some political influence he and his family were finally granted the permanent residency,for which they are thank
ful.
My wife completed her housemanship in Malaysia and was not allowed to continue her MOship as she was employed on a contract basis becoz of her PR status.When I asked the reason,the health ministry officials told me its due to the 1997 financial crisis which hit asia and that the govt didn’t have the financial means to employ her.This was in 1998,where Malaysia was already facing acute shortage of Drs in the public sector.The unbelievable thing here is,the govt said they cant afford to employ a local born dr who holds a Malaysian PR and married to me,a Malaysian citizen and going to spend the rest of her life in Malaysia but could afford to employ contract drs from overseas.
Now I can imagine how much of fustration and pain these foreign spouses go through.
My wife was employed to do her MO ship after waiting nearly 3 years,what a waste of human resource.We never bothered to apply for her citizenship as we know it will take another 10 or more years to come by,much quicker for Indonesian workers mind you.
Now lets look at the other part of the world.We came to Australia and got our PR after spending exactly 2 years and now she has been allowed to apply for her Australian citizenship,which she did merrily.Because here they have what you call proper rules and guidelines.You dont get that in discriminatory policies.Sorry to say this but this is the actual fact and the reality in our beloved Malaysia.I only can pray for all of you and keep up the fight but dont be too hopeful.
That is the story of my mother – a Filipino married to a Malaysian Chinese. It took her 13 years before she was given a PR, despite giving birth and caring for two Malaysians for 30 years now. She couldn’t work all that while. And when she finally could, just like the letter writer, the employers that did hire her took advantage of the situation. She is also a university graduate. More qualified than my dad.
Now I am married to an Australian, settled in Sydney. And the idea of us living in Malaysia after my own mother’s horror stories is enough to keep us away from making the Msian Immigration department our second home. Despite what people will say that I’m better off here, Malaysia is still home.
I must add here that not only we and our children are resrding in Australia now but also all her other 3 sisters and her old parents have become Australian citizens,even though my father-in-law never worked in Australia.We love Malaysia but and I know how much we all want to contribute to our motherland but sometimes you are made to feel unwanted in your own country,a very bitter pill to swallow.GOOD LUCK
Dear ridzwancherus, you said: “1. Apabila bercakap di dalam laman web ini, saya lebih suka untuk bercakap mengenai hak asasi manusia. Adakah menyuruh pembantu rumah yang saya jangka Islam memakai ” Buddhist Gold Chain ” umpama memaksa orang lain beragama lain untuk mengikut cara kita. Di mana demokratik awak dalam urusan ini ? Adakah hanya sekadar dengar cakap bahawa ada maid dari Indonesia yang kena rogol sebagai balasan untuk dilepaskan terutama yang tanpa izin anda terus menghukum semua maid akan dirogol untuk dilepaskan.”
not all indons are muslims, some are christians. just because in Malaysia all malays are ‘forced’ to be a muslim does not mean all malays in Indons are muslims. Indonesia practice freedom of religion, not like malaysia. Malays in there get to choose their own religion, i’ve seen Malay christian in Indonesia. so, please WAKE UP. your thinking is too narrow… katak di bawah tempurung.
I hope the BN gomen is reading some of the postings here.
I wonder how many cases like Dr Suresh happens in our country.
We are still losing our doctors and other talents despite 50 years of independence because of the gomen’s ketuanan policy.
YB
The issue has not been resolved for so many years. Malaysia has lost so many foreign spouses like this. Experienced it first hand. Being given the run-around and nobody really giving a clear guideline on what to do.
All mental-handicap people talking but no action. Chase away all the genuine people who really want to stay and love the country. They could easily help the country improve…but no, they want to give free IC for those coming through Sabah (not I say, but I heard they said it in Parliament session).
I say, mental-handicap people, use brain lah, if not, let other people do the job lah, just get lost lah! Migrate to other country lah! Belah lah!
We have to rewrite our immigration laws .Perhaps the next election when UMNO is defeated, they will realise that they had been unfair to foreign spouses.Till then live with the condition and curse the immigration laws.Change will come and just be patient.Abdullah has accepted a PKR man and so we can hope that he will look into these problems.Money can buy citizenship and to make the number in favour of UMNO, Sabah and Sarawak saw the influx of Indonesiana and Filipinos.They got birth certificates,identity cards and passports all in one.It was possible.
The government did not bother about security so what are foreign spouses.Be patient , you will hear the good news soon.
Play their game go to Sabah Sarawak and get it “LEGALLY” the MyCard…….it exposes 2 things….if caught. Royal Commission or Corruption. In the mean time get the MyCard ……
Following Rules in Malaysia is for Loser…….while under UMNO-BN its still a Kangaroo Court and Justice systems!!
UMNO leaders are still saying Malays are marginalised.
This is the most shameful treatment of our own people who had contributed significantly to the country.
As a result of decades of bad leadership and governance of the country, people do not trust each other anymore…….there is no quick fix, the reconciliation and healing must start immediately.
The ordeal faced by foreign spouses who want to live in Malaysia is an uninterrupted story of third world heartlessness, covert discrimination, bureaucratic connivance, opaque rules and plain stupidity of the first degree. In this story, some are much more equal than others, principally because they are of a certain religion or ethnic background and not because they have sought after skills and qualifications needed to help build a first world country.
It is hard enough to make a ‘mixed’ marriage work, our immigration officials/politicians make it harder still by their intractable stand. They tell you that permanent residence is a privilege, not a right, and you should be so lucky to be living in Malaysia. My advice is, go live and work in a nearby country where you and your spouse are welcome, and come visit your family frequently. Having been married for 30 years to a foreign wife, having resided in Malaysia the last 20 years, and having waited 10 years for permanent residence, I am ‘lost in the system’. Be forewarned, the officials don’t give a rat’s ass about your plight. They never have and never will unless there is a seismic shift in the national political landscape. After all these traumatic years, wife will surely return to live in her own country after I meet my maker. The children will live where their skills are welcome. They have been brought up to be independent and to be useful citizens of this world. As for Malaysia, God bless her and her citizens.
ridzwancherus……I have seen the lights of your kind..many many times. A true Malaysian is not judged by being expert in reading Bahasa language. Majority old Muslims…and even many current kampong folks…love to be farmers .fishermen…can speak well .nut cannot read too.
I speak well…Bahasa. That’s enough…and I master few foreign languages..to earn a living. Unfortunately…Bahasa is not recognized as important…internationally….and even in Malaysia…right now.
GET REAL!!! Don’t mix up realities in live…..with politics.
If you want to have a gentleman debate with me…on any subject…do so in English…and not try to be too smart…to put me at a disadvantage..with your idiotic logic.
How pathetic! Whatever happened on pledges to
improve the efficiency of the civil service?
Some questions:
1) Are all these barriers intentional? (If so, the laws need
to be changed)
2) Or are they due to: “The laws, if any, are so grey that it varies in interpretation from immigration officer to officer.”?
(If so, the discretionary powers of individual immigration officers need to be curbed)
3) Or both?
These foreigner cheap labor are source of income for the police force especially increase in cost of living.
And if you are referring to the Buddhist gold chain ..my maid is wearing… …let me tell you ..her father is a Buddhist and approved it.
And in Indonesia…religions are really free and easy….no forcing anyone to be anything.
Javanese is the oldest race in Indonesia. Go there and check it out.
Alot of…Javanese loves to be Christians..and marry a Muslim….no problem…both can stay as they are…and children…father knows best. How practical and logical they are.
You see….when come to true love and seeing real truths…our government is full of shit.
Religion contributes a small part in determining the quality of people.
When the Jews were killed in the 2WW, it was found those who helped them were people who could think for themselves and have empathy……..religious background played a very small part.
While, govt must hv control on foreign spouse, they must be reasonable,
If Msia, maintained current foreign spouse, immig. policies, foreign labour, scholarship, ketuanan M…, NEP, etc, bet can forget abt wawasan 2020 !
Aiya:
The writer doesn’t realise that Bolehland is a “kow-tim” country. You want IC, you can buy one. You want a 5 year renewable residence permit, you can buy one. The BN politicians create all this mess because they know there is demand for ICs and permits. This supply and demand equation simply means that the price goes up.
If you stay here long enough, you should know that everything in this country can “kow-tim”.
A country..like Indonesia.. with 250 million….at least 200 are Muslims….and is our immediate neighbour..recognized as the world’s largest muslim country… do not stuff any religious label to their citizens.
Both country…had their Independence..almost same time…and go and see what Indonesia is ….right now.
Yes….it meant to do all good…to control the monkey minds…like citizens..living in tree tops..so wild and uneducated..and for forcing their own race ….to embrace one religion..is right. For that…I fully agree to the smart and noble act by UMNO……50 years ago.
But from 25 years ago….the second generations of Malaysians are totally different from the first. UMNO knows and can see that clearly….yet they keep on playing race and religion politics.
And keep brainwashing ordinary Malaysian….all of them…are above ordinary folks…with their titles..datuk..tan sri…tun.. and somehow are so rich….living in bangalows…driving Merz or BMW cars…as soon as they are active in UMNO politics. If that is not
corruptions..,,tell me what it is. UMNO supreme council guys..some are only taxi drivers…farmers…village chief…with very little educations…really makes all of us….look like real idiots….working our asshole dry….cannot even afford a Proton….riding a motor bike…when infact….most are even much more .. well educated than them.
Indonesia have no titles!! All are treated equal…like China.
I really pity those with titles…deserving so…all mixed up with crooks from UMNO. They inherited this idea from the British…and purposely turn it…upside down…inside out……for their own selfish and corrupted agendas.
Such is our lives…under UMNO…and people do not risk their livers .to protest in demonstrations..for nothing. Their famous saying..”not the Malaysian way”…is bunkum….but what you you expect from a bunkum party.
Your right, all of you, the system of PR application/process is about as complex, farsical, and vague as it could possibly be. For a start, where else do you find an automatic rejection as part of the process?
I am going throught the whole scene, started 2 years ago, having worked here for nearly 15 years and having Bumiputeras as family. Would you believe that someone else’s rejection letter was included in my envelope? Fortunately for that person, I returned their letter by registered post to them otherwise they would have exceeded the 30 day deadline to appeal, and been more in the dark as a result.
I don’t think I am getting anywhere with the process either, even being married to a Malaysian doesn’t seem to help too much by the looks of things. I personally know of a Malaysia (Bumi) male, married to an Indonesian for over 14 years, 2 children, born in Malaysia, and still he doesn’t know where she stands after years of waiting. I also know others whos files were lost, started the process over again, and eventually took 8 years to get a positive answer, but they are the ‘big shots’ in society with infleunce, so no doubt that was in their favour.
The “system” here (whatever that may be?) is disgraceful, intransparent, often cited as being corrupt, and just downright uncivilized. It’s likely a sad reflection of the civil service attitude throughout the country, with many incompetents in charge, and it’s no surprise why some people end up giving in and leaving for less complicated pastures.
You almost have to be SUPERMAN in order to get PR!
My husband is a foreigner. I had the same problem. My husband is under spouse visa and since he is employed here (almost 8 years now!!). With much great difficulty we got the SV for 5 years. After the 5 year term I am leaving this country.
Sad but true! It was very difficult to plead our case and then we have to pay (ehmm) a lot to process our document.
I went back to my husband’s country and it was much easier to submit MY documents than his here! Like many of you his account is external account..and he pays TAXES in malaysia!!!! (and its not little!!)
What a bloody farce! Sometimes we just want to go back due to the problems we face here..sometimes it appeals so much to me..even if this is my homeland and where i was born.
Well…that’s Malaysia for you la. If you are a Muslim convert…it’s very very very easy and you get documents like yesterday if you submit today (you know what i mean)
Come this september its my turn for the long waiting line at Immigration Dept even though we have 5 year S.visa. Apparently i have to submit documents of proof….every year. So there goes. Whats the point then?
By the way, the I Card only works in KLIA, if you go to singapore…or north the Immigration Dept doesn’t have facilities for the card. You have to write out the white form (I have another story for that!!)
Tedious and irritating process!
And to let you know….how much love and care….Indonesian government have for their citizens….they are resigning from the OPEC ..making them free to do what .with their limited precious oil.
They are not so fortunate….like Malaysia..having surplus. So they intend to have their limited oil…to benefit their own people..and work it out..how to stop increasing oil prices.
Even if that do not work out…just look at… how much love and concern..the government have for their people. Here in Malaysia…it cannot be done…as it is one cover up for another…to protect many corrupted exposures.
Here in Malaysia….we export oil..and earn alot of money. The higher oil price it is….the more profits we get…yet….government do not tell you the good new….but always trying to fool Malaysians with the bad news….why they must increase oil prices. They know majority ordinary folks cannot comprehend their downright cooked ways..so most accept that..especially listening how USA are suffering from oil prices too.
Enough have been said by Anwar..and unfortunately….People’s Party….did not win complete control of the country…so Anwar cannot keep his promise ..to reduce oil prices.
So..lets all..live with it…to let UMNO keep covering up their corrupted ways and massive mismanagements…with oil prices increase….making another round of chain reactions….which only middle class and poor Malaysians… really suffer the impacts.
On that…UMNO members are included.to suffer….no class distinctions.
Many pro Mahathir supporters said I am Lim Kit Siang’s machai.
I have never met Lim …face to face…all my life..although I did attended few of DAP gatherings….listening to him…..like any ordinary spectator.
I am not any party member too.
What I admire about him….are his many daring ways…exposing UMNO’s corruptions..landing him into jail…or under detentions…for years.
He was the first to talk of Bank Bumiputra’s corruptions…leading one unfortunate Muslim investigator… got killed in HongKong…some 35 years ago…and case still not solved!
And look at the son…went to jail….defending a helpless Muslim girl!!
It does not take any race…except true Malaysians…to hero worship Lim.
He sacrifices his whole life…for Malaysia Malaysians
That’s how I read him..and respect him for that.
As mentioned in my earlier post, I would like to add on, my friend’s friend, the french guy who got his PR by marrying a malay muslim, this friend who told me is also a french married to a malaysian chinese much much longer and have been submitting his application for the past 15 years in total about 4 times with a break of 3 years after every rejection! And everytime when you submit, you need to give the same old documents plus new documents as and when the officer like. Why? No specific guidelines ma!
He thought of bribing aka to buy the PR but stop doing it because he got reliable source that if you bribe the wrong person, you are still b ack to square one as apparently the only person that could approve the PR is the PM?!?! (Uncle lim, care to comment on this please) He is even more frustrated that his french’s friend got it in 6 years time.
As for MM2H, is just a gimmick to attract foreigners to retired in our country..meaning tobring in foreign currencies and to spend in Malaysia. Unless your spouse is earning foreign “salary” to bring into the country otherwise, no point getting one. My husband got one because he wanted to retire here in future.
AND also remember for malaysian females marrying a foreigner and is living overseas, please come back to Malaysia to give birth otherwise you can kiss the Malaysian citizenship goodbye! Escpecially if you are non malay. This happened to my aunt’s kids who married a Scot, more than 40 years ago and this law still in force!
I cant really think of one thing that our government is efficient at except collecting taxes and corruption!
Concerning….getting citizenship by foreigners…marrying a Malaysian or vice versa..it is a gone case. No use to bribe. If that can be done..what is that small money.. …to get a precious legal document?
Yes…it involves too many people…Immigration Dept…police…few more??..and finally…to the Min.Of Home Affairs.
Yes….they purposely make it so difficult…..especially to any white skin people.
But get one muslim….marrying an Indonesian Muslim…after three years…no problem.
Such is our race and religion government…true to it’s words….to keep winning control of the country.
Again..fortunately..many more muslims..are marrying whites!! Also got same problem.
So….you see…where there is no fair and square truthful management..somehow…..one day…it will boomerang back…to the culprits….and did we not see that in the 12th election.We must do much more…to weed them put completely.
I fully agreed with the writer as I have personal friend who had the similar problem. He was so fed-up that he went back to Singapore with his family (his wife is Malaysian & he is a Singaporean Chinese) after over 10 years in Malaysia as an investor i.e. factory owner, but failed to get PR (Permanent Resident & not Parkatan Rakyat) without reason given by the authority i.e. you can continue to apply all the time and they can reject you every time without reason!!! their motive is very clear, to make you give up and go away, so that you dont add another no. to the non-Supreme Race!!! they only want Supreme Race in Malaysia, other race and creed will threaten their lifes and existence!!!
It is time for them to ask for increase in salary as there are too many applications to process since all rejected cases will reapply again!!! time to isi pernuh with more govt servants to process the applications, there will be less unemployed graduates who studied Islamic etc. in the society!!!
I would suggest to the govt to make the immigration stamp as BIG as one page or two pages of the passport!!! this will increase our immigration revenue as people need to get new passport when all pages used. Money money comes!!!
monsterball Says:
Today at 12: 39.48 (1 hour ago)
Many pro Mahathir supporters said I am Lim Kit Siang’s machai.
I have neve………………….. talk of Bank Bumiputra’s corruptions…leading one unfortunate Muslim investigator… got killed in HongKong…some 35 years ago…and case still not solved!
Think the Bank Bumiputra case in Hong Kong , not yet 35 years lah,
35 yr ago = 1973, not yet that long??
In Msia, PR formula for foreign spouses,
If Msian is a bumi, muslim, & spouse is muslim, take 5 years, or so,
If non muslim, take umpteen time 5 years,
the difference is only “umpteen time”
dont waste your time and breath on this issue, Kit. this country does not deserve the talents that could have contributed to her progress. this country prefers unskilled immigrants from neighbouring countries and some may wonder why. but the majority knows whats the real reason behind this. better keep my mouth shut before the sedition act is thrown at me.
cheng on soo….I said…..”some 35years go”…meaning give or take few years.
Anyway…does not matter exact year. What matters most…I put out facts…and thanks for your subtle agreement.
cheng on soo…And your “umpteen times” explainations on citizenship..are smartly…and correctly put out…hahahahahaha
Although Malaysia definitely do not deserve all those talent that it has wasted, unfortunately Malaysia NEEDS it. That is the sad truth that the arrogant UMNOputras are not willing to admit. They still shout, “kami boleh”
I know of dozens of productive hardworking Malaysians (doctors, lawyers, engineers) who are all now working overseas. Many even approached me and wonders why i don’t migrate and offered to suggest immigration agents i could contact.
This situation is thanks to the “keluar Malaysia, balik China, India” mentality of the UMNOputras. Unfortunately they don’t “balik China, India”, they go to countries like Singapore, Australia, US and whups your beloved Malay-sia’s ass in every aspect.
Although the main reason for many professional Malaysian Chinese…left Malaysia….feeling unfairly treated…because they are not Muslims…..or have no confidence for their children….under UMNO…being treated as equals by the government…but I really wished they should stay back in Malaysia…and peacefully fight for their rights..like what Lim Kit Siang and we are doping…all these 50 years.
UMNO is an expert…to read Malaysian Chinese characteristics…..such as….they are selfish and they do not stay united ..like the muslims..and they think of benefits for themselves.. only. Most of all…they are somewhat racialists….by way of sticking to clans.
The main reason….alot migrate to Australia…is for free educations….and getting Australian citizenship is so easy….if you are a professional..like doctors..teachers…engineers.
Australia offers so many other benefits to their citizens.
Furthermore….Australian government do not have race and religion politics…and all professional Malaysian Chinese are well respected.
Needless for me to say…Singapore…USA…and few European countries….love Malaysian Chinese too.
So…not only UMNO is forcing them to migrate..but the many benefits are just too much…to be ignored.
In actual fact..UMNO did succeed to frustrate and chase almost all Malaysian Chinese professionals out!!
But they totally forget…the hawkers and thousands of other self employed Malaysian Chinese….will have children…that are professionals too….and it is this group…refusing to migrate…fight it out as politicians……to have a better Malaysia….as they saw their parents suffered….for them…and heard so much great stories of their great forefathers…helping to build Malaysia. They want a stake of their rightful claim….to be recognized and respected….risking their lives for that noble cause.
That’s the Malaysian Chinese… today.
hi katdog,
we indian and chinese professionals dont want to go to india and china because,these countries have enough high quality professionals.We rather remain in our country of birth and contribute to our motherland which is Malaysia.But Malaysian politicians with their ‘ketuanan melayu’policy reject us.Since 1970 when the NEP was started(if i am not mistaken)till today,they still cannot produce quality local graduates.They are living in denial.
Countries like Australia,England and other western countries recognize us and give us jobs and the most important thing is that these countries make us feel wanted ,not rejected.
Look at Singapore for instance.Where were they 30 yrs ago?We were neck to neck with them in terms of ecomomy and even educational standard.Where are we today compared to them?How come,such a small island nation without natural resources,without petrol and even water they have to buy from us,how come they are so far ahead?I was once a strong critic of Singapore as that time i had full confidence in our UMNO putras that they will treat all citizens the same regardless of race in time to come,I even told my wife who had an Australian PR that I am not going to go to Australia as Malaysia is my motherland and i love it here.
10 years later when my lovely twins were born,my wife had the last laugh at me,because I applied for the AUstralian PR again,this time because of my kids.No way they are going to go through this ‘ketuanan melayu ‘discrimination.Finally i gave in to my wife’s request and I thank the almighty I made a wonderful move eventhough this came 10 years later,as I am proud that I did my best for my country before I was’ made to leave’.We feel very much wanted here today.
I still hopone day I can retire in my beloved country Malaysia where i see all Malaysians are treated equally regardless of race.GOD BLESS MALAYSIA.
Katdog,
I understand that you are jst quoting what the racist UMNOputras say about ‘balik india and cina’.My comments are directed towards them and all those think a likes too and not directed to you.
Regards my fellow malaysian.
i don’t mind balik cina! chinese economy is booming. if they let me stay i’ll be a millionaire in a week.
bernadette….I am sure they will welcome you to prove you are right.
Go with all our blessings and see what happen.
Chances are…..you are a dreamer.
Unless you are filthy rich and have a proven business to branch out to China…your failing percentage is as high as one… trying to strike it rich with lottery.
They will let you stay….for sure.
All you need..is to prove you have the money and the means.
Buy if you are thinking of starting a
“health centre” ..with lots of Malaysian sexy girls….sure to strike it rich…but approval will be denied.
The Govenrment really doesnot know how to fully use its human resource available on its shore.
The same thing happens to children of part Malaysian. I had to renew my children’s Social Visit Pass (SVP) every 6 mths until they went to school.
When we first visited Imm Dept, they told us one thing, then after 6 years of SVP renewal, we were told to resubmit the whole set of documents for the PR application.
My wife’s SVP is still on yearly renewal. More than 10 years. Initially you’d be able to get the renewal within the same day. About 3 years ago they made it such that you had come a week later to collect. What a waste of time for us who have to take leave or time off to collect them.
IMM Dept do not follow their Mission Statement policies. For e.g. What they say takes 6 months to approve could take 6 years to approve and that also with constant calling to expedite the applications.
They always SHIOK sendiri sahaje.
The latest that I’m told when I enquired after 10mths since the State Imm Dept had sent the file to Putrajaya for final approval, was that Putrajay is now ONLY processing 2001 PR applications. So it looks like I would have to wait for 6 years more before they look into my wife’s file. In the meantime we sit in limbo. However they are very prompt to remind us that we have to update our change of address because they may call upon us for clarification/interview.
What I don’t understand is how inefficient they are as the State Imm Dept does all the investigation & recommendation (hopefully) & Putrajay have only to process.
Almost all foreign spouses are degree holders who could contribute to the betterment of the nation
With all of their ill thought policies the UMNO govenrment is making Malaysia no better than Malaysia in the 60s.
It’s time that the present Government do something that the nation would benefit AND NOT THAT BENEFITS CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS IN POWER.
It’s time to reform the entire government, maybe the previous election have motivated this change. Forget our apparent progress the past 10 years under Mahathir when until today we don’t even have the courtesy to provide good immigration service to our talented Malaysian professionals. There has been improvement, I must admit but the government has to be more proactive in retaining our bright Malaysian talents and continue to encourage “suitable” foreign talent to grow our economy. I’m a young professional who currently based in Singapore who is also an Australian PR with Malaysian citizenship. I must admit I like Malaysia but if there’s no proactive and progressive actions made by the government, the government can’t blame us young professionals to leave the country.
i agree with pamelaoda. make sure u give birth in malaysia. or if not please register your child at the malaysian embassy otherwise the immigration dept. dont give a damn of all your explanations!! PR approval? its a real dream. citizenship for your children? is another wild dream. immigration still find the chick to send u a letter saying your application is being process. application send 15 years ago!! its a sad flight for all of us. renewing the spouse yearly visa is annoying. anyway friends every vote counts. see ya all in ge13!!
It is sad really, to see and hear so many talented and gifted Malaysians leaving Malaysia because the government is not doing anything to pull them back. It is also pitiful to realise that our government is not doing anything to make things easier for foreign spouses of Malaysians to make Malaysia their home.
These are the people who can make Malaysia great in many ways and not only in providing talents in various industry but making us trully a multicultural country.
I used to boast that being a Malaysian I can proudly say that I come from a culturally diverse society that is living peacefully with one and another. Unlike the hostilities that we read about other countries. BUT are we trully united as Malaysians and can we do away with the racial issue that certain quarters would so love to make an issue out of it?
It is time for us to grow up. We should have a good look at our constitution that our forefathers set and not let those government folks tell us what it means. Our forefathers stood together to fight for this nation and it is our time to make sure it still stands for our children and the future generation.
I used to feel proud whenever I told foreigner (even those from advance country like (Japan, Australia, NZ etc) that I come from Msia.
But now, I don’t feel proud anymore, even when I talk to someone from Thailand, Mauritius, Botswana, Turkey etc. Reason, U know lah !
Msia immig. law on foreign spouse is outdated. I hv 2 friends who rather let their baby daughter / baby son be Vietnamese (follow the mother) than be a Msian non Bumi, non Muslim. Why? they said it is for the kids’ future, Will life in Vietnam better than in Msia (for non bumi) by say 2028. Time will tell.
Msia will probably wake up too late when others in ASEAN overtake us in development & when petrol run dry !
USA government maybe the biggest devils on Earth….but just look at their freedom of speeches and rights.
They live to the every letter of their year 1766… “Declaration of Independence” …up to now.
Here we amend and amend…to caged all others…ignoring all others…except their own race.
Mosques don’t talk God stuffs. It is always their race..and how to strengthen it…a subtle way to support race and religion politic…all the way. If not….how come Kelantan and Terengganu are so backward? It is UMNO and PAS….fighting each other….proving how great they are…for their own race and religion..and back in K,.Lumpur…sing a different tune. What terrible hypocrites they are…..yet MCA..MIC..Gerakan ..keep being puppets to UMNO….with no shame…..whatsoever. It’s always votes….votes…votes….how to get them…by UMNO and BN..never sincerely for the country and Malaysians. They are not really Malaysians per xe. They are corrupted opportunists.
And back to USA….just look and the thousands adopted children…..so easy to adopt and become USA citizens.
Here..ant foreigner….living in Malaysia…marrying a Malaysia..can keep on dreaming….if you cannot prove…you are somewhat related to Malays.like Indonesia…and their so call…heroes…Arabs.
Yes…from the start….we hero worship USA…copying their flag…copying all their dress codes…TV games…and copying …how to find and make suckers of everyone…every minute…which US government is good at.
But in USA..the Americans really hold the power. Therefore…they keep changing the government…like playing yoyo….and for that..Americans are really smart citizens..far far above us in thinking…..how to vote wisely.
We are just starting to wake up and be smart.
Hope…we do not fall back to olden ways…being afraid and selfish.
As for me..who cares!! I never depended on the government anything….all mt life…but I do care and yearn for a real free Nation..calling ourselves……..proudly to the whole world…we are Malaysians..
Pink dolphin,
This might be a workable solution to get round your problem. How about, you and your husband take up residence in Singapore. If possible, move your family from Malaysia to Singapore as well. If not, it will still be much cheaper for you (and your husband, if he wishes) to commute once in a while, or even monthly from Singapore to Malaysia to visit your family, as compared to once a year to the UK.
I assume you are a non Malay. Frankly, your talent and your husband will be much more appreciated in Singapore than in Malaysia.
Just a thought …
Dear all,
Are we are being unduly polite here, or being overly politically correct here? Seems like all are barking up the wrong tree and missing the point here.
There is nothing wrong with the immigration law. There is nothing wrong with the enforcement. It is just a race thing. Only Malays and Muslims are wanted in MALAYsia. Period. Scream and cry and tear out your hair all you want. The fact is millions of Indonesians, legal immigrants or otherwise, will become citizens within years. Non-Malay immigrants will be lucky to get PRs in decades and citizenship in generations.
Give up lah. As long as UMNO is in power, you can wait long long. Unless you can change the M in UMNO from Malay to Malaysia (or Malaysian), this will be like Sisyphus pushing up the rock.
i dont mind balik cina – bernadette.
Sounds like if you don’t the way the country is grossly mismanaged and abused, go back to cina or india!!
If you remember, BN release some figures of Malaysia, broken down by race, who have left Malaysia. Take the advice of BN – no matter how you can contribute to the country, you are not wanted. I am a Malaysia who tried to contribute before they had this stupid program to attract overseas Malaysian – I was back and tried to do it without strings attached.
Guess what – after 2 years of getting stuffed around, I left and glad that I did. Overseas countries are benefiting from my expertise and I am getting a rewarding career. My advice, do not go to where you are not wanted. If Malaysia does not want you, leave. If she truly wants you, they will move mountains to get your spouse a PR/citizenship.
I’m married to an Indonesian chinese. I wont even bother wasting my money applying PR for my wife. The money is better used applying for PR in other countires. I will be leaving this shithole of a country for good.
“There is nothing wrong with the immigration law. There is nothing wrong with the enforcement. It is just a race thing. Only Malays and Muslims are wanted in MALAYsia. Period. Scream and cry and tear out your hair all you want. The fact is millions of Indonesians, legal immigrants or otherwise, will become citizens within years.” Wrath of Grapes
if immigration law is enforced then how would millions of “legal immigrants or otherwise” Indonesians then become citizens”??? sure it is a “race thing” – nobody says otherwise.
..don’t be clever by half.
Dear TheWrathOfGrapes,
Thank you very much for your kind thought and it is infact a great idea. I must admit that I have never thought of this option and I’m pretty sure it will make ends meet if everything goes right. I was feeling so helpless and failed to think outside the box. I will definitely discuss this option with my husband and with a bit of luck, this will be the direction we are heading to. Btw, you are right, I’m non Malay..
Great article, voicing out how we local spouses feel and are furstrated about.
Recently, after many months trying, my Aust husband has finally gotten his yearly employment pass/ expatriate ID which costs RM250.
Though it is affordable, we had to go through a tiring process and procedures with JPN regulations and hidden untold paperwork which we felt unecessary.
The tiring situation was written in my blog (under Malaysia category) http://www.elaineganm.wordpress.com
I do hope things will change for good, quickly.
pinkdolphin,
Perhaps I was not sufficiently specific in my comment, but TheWrathOfGrapes [ I like Hemmingway too] has filled you in wrt Singapore as a choice of destination. It is probably the only suitable neighboring country to Malaysia where you can live and work in reasonable comfort. Permanent residence there is a relative breeze, provided you meet their skills requirements. And their Immigration is genuinely helpful.
elaineganm,
Things have already improved. In 1981, my Singaporean spouse at 8 plus months pregnant was denied her second extension of her 3 month social visit pass and was compelled to leave the country, notwithstanding medical advice she should not travel at this advanced stage of pregnancy. She had to take the train from Penang where I was then posted, to Singapore, take a taxi back across the Causeway, and reboard the train at JB back to Penang. We were real concerned they would not let her enter Malaysia in her pregnant state, hence the taxi [she need not alight to have passport stamped] and not the train. Airlines won’t fly advanced pregnancy women. Twenty seven years later, my wife is on annual social visit pass renewal, not 3 monthly and her PR application has been under processing the last 10 years. Contrast it with her 27 year ‘child’, now a chemical engineer, and a welcome PR in Australia after a wait of 8 months from date of submission. Speaks volumes, does it not, about this country.
Besides taking ‘donkey years’ to process the PR application, those foreign spouses who are currently working and contributing to the EPF are also at a losing end! I (also a foreign spouse) has contributed to the EPF for the past 9 years and recently, I found out that non-Malaysain (who are not a PR) are not allow to without their EPF, regardless for what purpose, unless you become discapability or leave Malaysia forever! Now I can only hope that I get the PR before I retire, if not my EPF $$$ is flush down the toilet!
I suggest all the foreign spouses of Malaysians form a group in Facebook to support each other and discuss the possible way to solve the problem.