The Foreign Spouses Support Group (FSSG) said a five-year marital duration would serve as a reasonable indicator of genuine relationships, and that a transparent appeal process must be established for PR applicants who are rejected.
“National security concerns can be addressed through robust monitoring mechanisms, including periodic reviews and background checks, with provisions for revocation and deportation in cases of fraud, serious legal violations or criminal offences as per the law,” said FSSG.
“Those who are unsuccessful should receive an explanation outlining areas for improvement and the additional documents required for reconsideration.
“Clear follow-up channels should also be provided to ensure that appealers are not left in uncertainty and forced to reapply without a clear understanding of their shortcomings.”
FSSG was commenting on a statement by home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail that the approval process for foreign nationals seeking to reside in the country with their Malaysian spouses had been reduced from 15 years to six months.
The group welcomed Saifuddin’s commitment to expediting PR applications, but said more holistic reforms were needed to address the fundamental challenges faced by non-citizen spouses.
FSSG also said that new SOPs to guide PR applicants should be published online and include comprehensive details on eligibility criteria, application procedures, required documents, and status tracking mechanisms to ensure uniformity and clarity across all branches.
It expressed concern about the lack of information on the point-based system for PR applications, saying no official information was available on the immigration department’s portal.
In early 2024, FSSG reported a surge in complaints regarding the introduction of the point-based system for PR applications.
Applicants are required to complete an assessment form to determine their eligibility. Only those who score around 40 points are allowed to submit their applications.
However, FSSG said achieving the required score did not guarantee approval as the final decision remained at the discretion of the home ministry.
It also said some non-citizen spouses had reported that immigration offices denied them PR application forms based on “subjective evaluations”.
“Reports indicate inconsistencies across various state immigration departments, with different criteria being applied,” said FSSG.
“This lack of clear and standardised criteria raises concerns about arbitrariness and inconsistency in the application process.”