While the Foreign Spouses Support Group (FSSG) expressed appreciation for the government’s decision to grant Beasley PR, it said “Malaysian binational families play an equally vital role in the growth and development of this country”.

“As people who are within Malaysian families, with Malaysian children who have the huge potential to contribute not just towards their own family, but to society and to this nation, eligible foreign spouses applying for PR status must not be left hanging for years,” it said in a statement.

It called on the government to expedite and streamline the PR application process for eligible foreign spouses.

The PR application process is ambiguous with extensive waiting times of two to five years and low approval rates, it noted.

FSSG said the country’s immigration policies must facilitate this and ensure that no child gets separated from their parents because of citizenship differences and visa status.

On Sunday, Beasley announced that he received confirmation of his PR status about three weeks ago.

The 62-year-old Australian became Malaysia’s national track cycling coach in January 2006, and was the backbone of keirin star Azizulhasni Awang’s growth from a teenager to world class keirin rider.

In the statement, FSSG said foreign spouses are forced to remain dependent on their Malaysian spouses for visas and work rights, limiting their employment opportunities despite professional qualifications.

“The employment prohibition statement on spouses’ Long Term Social Visit Passes, which have to be regularly renewed, can be confusing especially to potential employers intent on hiring the candidate,” it said.

“This limits the foreign spouses’ access to job opportunities despite the candidates’ professional qualifications and authorities saying they will be allowed to work as long as there is an offer of employment by employers.”