By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 13: West Malaysian widowers who wish to continue residing in Sarawak must apply for employment pass or temporary work visit pass, says Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai.
He said under Sarawak’s immigration law, West Malaysian husbands whose Sarawakian wives have passed away would lose their privilege under their spouses’ visa to have a long-term stay in Sarawak.
“However, if they wish to continue to stay in Sarawak, they can apply for other suitable long-term pass facilities such as employment pass or temporary work visit pass if they are working in Sarawak.
“Those aged 60 and above can apply for a long-term social visit pass facility under the elderly policy,” he said when presenting his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Sikie also mentioned another alternative, which was for the West Malaysian widowers to opt to remarry another Sarawakian.
“If they get married to another Sarawakian, they can re-submit their application for a long-term social visit pass facility under the couple policy to a Malaysian citizen of Sarawak,” he added.
He was responding to an issue raised by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong on May 8, who urged the Sarawak government to come up with a policy to allow West Malaysian or Sabahan husbands to continue staying in Sarawak should their Sarawakian spouses pass on, especially when there are children involved. — DayakDaily
