GPS rep calls for special PR passes for long-term non-Sarawakian residents
KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak's (GPS) Pujut state assemblyman Adam Yii today urged the state government to consider introducing special Permanent Resident (PR) passes for non-Sarawakian Malaysians and foreigners who wish to settle permanently in Sarawak.
He said many of them have lived, worked, and contributed meaningfully to the state's economy and development for years.
"Some have served in our public and private sectors for decades and have raised families in the state, purchased homes, contributed to our economy and community, and in many cases, they now proudly call Sarawak their home," Yii said during the debate in support of the motion of appreciation to the Governor's address at the opening of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting.
He said introducing special PR passes for non-Sarawakian Malaysians and foreigners would be a compassionate and practical step to honour their contributions and allow them to continue calling Sarawak their home in retirement.
"However, under our current immigration policy, many of them are not allowed to remain in Sarawak after retirement, even when they have Sarawakian spouses, children, or property.
"This creates unnecessary hardship and disrupts family life. It is truly a loss for Sarawak, both economically and in terms of brain drain, as the family members will follow their uprooted parents," he said.
Yii also called for an amendment to the Sarawak Electricity Ordinance to avoid disputes over unpaid electricity bills.
He said that under the present ordinance, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) may deny electricity supply to a new tenant or property owner simply because the previous occupant left behind unpaid bills.
This, he said, has caused hardship to many landlords and new tenants who have no connection to the defaulter, adding that it is unfair for someone to be held responsible for another person's debt.
He proposed that the state government amend the ordinance so that, if a new applicant can show proof, such as a tenancy agreement or statutory declaration, that they are not related to the defaulter, SEB should allow electricity supply to proceed.
Yii also proposed that SEB offer prepaid electricity meters as an option, especially for rental properties, saying that under such systems, tenants must top up before using electricity, which would prevent unpaid bills from piling up.
He said such systems would help avoid disputes between landlords, tenants, and SEB.
"Most importantly, prepaid meters are harder to tamper with, thus helping reduce electricity theft and losses to SEB," he added.
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