Nearly 5000 entry permits given to foreign spouses since 2004
Bernama (10/7/08): The Home Ministry has approved 4,776 entry permits to foreign spouses from 2004 until May 2008, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Minister Senator Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said of the number 1,130 permits were approved for foreign husbands and 3,646 were for foreign wives.
"Each application will have to go through procedures like security screening and interview. The time taken to process the application will depend on the quality of information provided," he said in reply to a question by Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu).
Tiong wanted to know the number of entry permits given to foreign spouses since 2004 and efforts taken to improve the processing of applications.
He said unlike social passes which need to be renewed, entry permits were given only once and would only be revoked if the holder commits an offence.
The authorities also needed five years to verify the authenticity of marriages before the applications for entry permits could be considered.
Tiong had asked why foreign spouses need to renew their permits annually and wanted the government to simplify the application procedure.
Wan Ahmad Farid told Dr Lo' Lo' Mohd Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa) that other than security screening and interview, the applicants for Malaysian citizenship and entry permit must speak fluent Bahasa Melayu and that the information provided would have to be verified for national security reasons.
"We admit that it is a slow process but it is done in the name of national security as the country's sovereignty must be protected."
The deputy minister added the issuance of citizenship to foreigners was a privilege and not a right.
Deputy Minister Senator Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said of the number 1,130 permits were approved for foreign husbands and 3,646 were for foreign wives.
"Each application will have to go through procedures like security screening and interview. The time taken to process the application will depend on the quality of information provided," he said in reply to a question by Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu).
Tiong wanted to know the number of entry permits given to foreign spouses since 2004 and efforts taken to improve the processing of applications.
He said unlike social passes which need to be renewed, entry permits were given only once and would only be revoked if the holder commits an offence.
The authorities also needed five years to verify the authenticity of marriages before the applications for entry permits could be considered.
Tiong had asked why foreign spouses need to renew their permits annually and wanted the government to simplify the application procedure.
Wan Ahmad Farid told Dr Lo' Lo' Mohd Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa) that other than security screening and interview, the applicants for Malaysian citizenship and entry permit must speak fluent Bahasa Melayu and that the information provided would have to be verified for national security reasons.
"We admit that it is a slow process but it is done in the name of national security as the country's sovereignty must be protected."
The deputy minister added the issuance of citizenship to foreigners was a privilege and not a right.
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