Meradong rep highlights PR hurdles for foreign spouses, calls for immigration autonomy

Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex (file photo)

By Christopher Lidom

KUCHING, Nov 23: Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing has shed light on the challenge faced by foreign spouses seeking permanent resident (PR) status after marrying local individuals.

Ding highlighted a specific case involving the denial of PR status to a foreign wife married to a Sarawakian medical specialist, who returned to serve the State under TalentCorp Malaysia and Returning Expert Programme.

According to Ding, one of the program’s benefits clearly states: “Foreign spouses and children will be eligible for PR status, subject to approval and at the discretion of the Immigration Department of Malaysia.”

“The specialist has served both in government and the private sector for more than 15 years, and yet his foreign wife still has to stay in Sarawak on a yearly pass.

“The Sarawak government approved her application for permanent residence status, but unfortunately, the Home Affairs Ministry turned down her application without stating any reasons for its refusal.

“She was asked to start her application all over again, including seeking approval from the Sarawak government,” he said in the august House today.

Ding expressed concern about the prolonged wait for Sarawak children’s citizenship applications by the Home Affairs Ministry, urging the State government to find more suitable ways to address these issues.

“Of course, full immigration autonomy will be the most appropriate way to go about it,” he said. — DayakDaily