An NGO advocating equal citizenship rights today hit out at a deputy minister for saying that non-citizens take to marrying Malaysians in order to run businesses in the country, saying such claims create misconceptions about binational families.
Family Frontiers said the allegation by Fuziah Salleh also misconstrued the realities faced by such families.
“Such narratives can unintentionally diminish the recognition of Malaysians’ right to choose their spouses regardless of nationality and their families’ ability to earn a dignified living,” it said in a statement.
Fuziah, the deputy domestic trade and cost of living minister, said last week that foreigners seeking to conduct business legally in the country would marry locals.
She said foreigners resorted to such tactics because the Registration of Businesses Act 1956 only permits Malaysian citizens and permanent residents to register sole proprietorships or partnerships.
Fuziah said the ministry often received complaints from traders who felt threatened by the situation.
Family Frontiers however said that foreign spouses were compelled to run businesses under the name of their Malaysian spouse or find informal work due to their limited access to legal employment.
It said the visas of non-citizen spouses came with a prohibition from employment, even though they might be the sole breadwinner.
Such restrictions led to hesitation among potential employers, many of whom were reluctant to hire someone whose visa explicitly states that they cannot work, even though the immigration department allows employment with an endorsement, Family Frontiers said.
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