Latest news with #MyPR
New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Saifuddin: Entry permits for foreign spouses evaluated fairly
KUALA LUMPUR: Entry permit approvals for foreign spouses of Malaysians are based on fair and balanced considerations, regardless of gender, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. "Among the prerequisites for the MyPR application is that the applicant must first obtain an entry permit issued by the Malaysian Immigration Department," he said in a written parliamentary reply last night. He was responding to Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH–Bukit Bendera), who questioned the government's processes for Permanent Resident (MyPR) applications, which she said placed an unfair burden on Malaysian women with foreign spouses. Saifuddin also said the issuance of entry permits to foreigners is in accordance with the provisions under Section 10(1) and (2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which grants the Director-General of Immigration the authority to issue entry permits based on the conditions and procedures set. Between 2013 to 2023, the approval rates for the wives of citizens stood at 22.3 per cent and the approval rates for husbands stood at 22.7 per cent. "Based on the percentage of approved entry permits, there is no significant difference between applications made by husbands and wives within the citizen category. "Therefore, each entry permit application in the husband and wife to citizen category is assessed fairly and equitably," he said. He added that several factors are taken into consideration when granting approvals. "For example, in the case of citizens' wives, issues related to welfare and neglect are considered," he said.
The Star
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
No gender bias in PR approval rates for foreign spouses, says Saifuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no significant disparity in the approval rates of permanent resident (PR) applications between foreign husbands and wives of Malaysian citizens, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Minister said a task force under the ministry and the Immigration Department had resolved all 19,205 backlogged entry permit applications lodged between 2013 and 2023, comprising 14,918 applications from foreign wives and 4,287 from foreign husbands of Malaysian citizens. 'Of these, the approval rate for foreign wives stood at 22.3%, while that for foreign husbands was slightly higher at 22.7%. 'This indicates no significant difference in approval rates between the two categories,' Saifuddin said in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday (July 29). He was responding to a question from Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid who questioned why foreign husbands face stricter PR requirements, calling for gender-equal and family-friendly policies. Saifuddin stressed that all applications are assessed fairly and equitably, though different considerations apply depending on the applicant's gender. 'For instance, applications from foreign wives take into account welfare concerns and issues of neglect, while those from foreign husbands are assessed with regard to potential misuse of marriage as a means to obtain residency,' he said. Saifuddin explained that PR applications must first go through the Entry Permit process governed by Section 10(1)(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which empowers the director-general of Immigration to issue permits under specific terms and procedures. The issuance of the MyPR identification card is carried out in accordance with the National Registration Act 1959 [Act 78] and Regulation 5(3)(b) of the National Registration Regulations 1990, he added.
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Crawling through life: Rose's struggle for citizenship and dignity
The author with Rose during a visit to hand over to her some clothing donated by Miri City Caring Society. LIFE has not been easy for Rose Sulau Tugau. The 65-year-old resident of Kampung Pasir in Lutong, Miri is unable to walk due to severe back pains. The only way she can move around the house is by crawling. It is said that complications from the metal screws inserted in her spine in three surgeries previously, have left her unable to walk. As if that is not enough, the RM200 monthly aid from the Welfare Department has stopped since March this year. At first, she was told to be patient, but after several more visits in subsequent months, an officer finally broke the heart-breaking news – the assistance had been terminated. 'This is because you are a red IC (identification card)-holder with permanent-resident status – you're no longer eligible for aid now,' she was told. Frustration Rose, a Kenyah from rural Baram, can only shake her head in disbelief. She is frustrated that despite the many trips to the National Registration Department (NRD), she has not managed to change her red MyPR to the blue IC. 'I was originally from Long Selatong in Ulu Baram, studied at St Pius Primary School in Long San, and later followed my older – and only – brother to Belaga, while my two younger sisters stayed behind. 'Others in the class were all issued with red IC, but managed to change it to blue (Malaysian citizenship IC); unfortunately, I did not,' she told thesundaypost . In her sunset years, Rose wants to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 'My only brother had passed away; one sister is also an OKU (individual with disability) like me; my youngest sister is still in the village. They all had the blue IC.' Ulu Selatong in the interior of Baram, about a six-hour journey by road and boat from Miri, but it may take longer depending on the road conditions, or circumstances such as collapsed bridges or landslides. Rose said her old blue IC changed to red MyPR when she renewed it at the NRD in Kuala Lumpur, accompanied by her adopted son who lived and worked there in 2012. Starting June 1, 2006, the MyPR was issued and came in red colour, with the words 'Permanent Resident' shown on the card. In 2017, members of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) helped Rose check her status, bringing her to see NRD officers at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Miri on March 17 that year. Back then, Councillor Aries Leong, Councillor Lee Thin Hin and Councillor Joanna Ping had said that her case would be referred to the Home Ministry as the record indicated that her status as only a Permanent Resident Card (MyPR) holder, and not a citizen. The NRD's records also indicated that Rose did not have her parents' documents when she first applied for the identity card on June 7, 1973; thus, she was told to submit a fresh citizenship application to comply with the requirements. There has been no news for her since. Appeal for help Rose's husband Ajang Janae died in 2016, at age 59, because of brain cancer. Prior to that, she was hospitalised for three months after having undergone a back surgery in October 2013, which left her wheelchair-bound. That was when her husband had lovingly cared for her, until a relapse of cancer left him paralysed in 2015. Throughout that time of sickness, Rose had become the sole caregiver of her bedridden husband at their squatter house. 'My wish now is that the government can help me change my red IC to a blue IC, and to provide me with monthly assistance. 'I am already 65 this year, living alone and with painful knees. 'I have to survive on meagre income, coming from selling some yams that I grow in my little garden. 'Due to my disability, I have to enlist the help of my neighbours to help me buy groceries and some essential items.' Rose tends to her garden. Nevertheless, Rose does not let hardship get in her way of doing her chores like cooking and cleaning, as well as tending to her garden. The Methodist Church donates rice to her every month. Moreover, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting has allocated funds for repair works on her dilapidated house, including building a concrete pathway for easier wheelchair access. In her sunset years, Rose looks forward to seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Talking about her adopted son – the one who accompanied her to the NRD in Kuala Lumpur – she said he is now a driver, providing for his four school-going children. 'He has his own burden to bear,' she said. 'He had burnt a hole in his pocket, flying his entire family home to see me in 2023 before returning for work in Pahang. 'I had to decline his offer to come live with him in Kuantan – it's just not suitable for my condition. 'I prefer to face my challenges here in Sarawak. 'My only hope is that my financial burden would be lessened,' she added. crawling miri OKU Rose Sulau Tugau
