ID :
162586
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 05:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/162586
The shortlink copeid
FOREIGNERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 'MYDAFTAR' CAMPAIGN
KLANG (Selangor, Malaysia), Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Foreigners residing here are taking advantage of the MyDaftar campaign targeted at the Indian community to apply for permanent resident (PR) status.
Lucille Gacula Galicia, 41, from Philippines, said she faced difficulty landing jobs because she did not have PR status.
Having settled here 19 years ago after marrying a Malaysian, Galicia said her trouble started after her husband died from brain cancer nine years ago.
"I am now living on my late husband's Social Security (Socso) payment of RM500 monthly. (US$1=3.05)
"Without PR status, I have to depend on annual visa to stay here," she said in fluent Malay when met at National Registration Department (NRD) branch here Sunday.
Company executive Paul Raj, 52, said he came to apply PR status for his wife Lilia Bonayog, 47, another Philippine citizen.
Raj who married Bonayog 14 years ago praised the government for giving people the opportunity to solve their identity problems.
"It is an opportunity for a better future. We used to run all over the place to apply for personal documents," he added.
The campaign from Feb 19-26 is opened to Indians without documents related to birth, identity and citizenship.
It is led by the Cabinet Committee for the Indian Community with cooperation of the Home Ministry and Information Communication and Culture Ministry.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Information Communication and Culture, Maglin Dennis D'Cruz said he is satisfied with the campaign especially the cooperation given by NRD.
"About 300 people from Kapar, Bukit Raja and Klang came to sign up
Saturday. We are confident that conversion of PR status to citizenship can be completed this year.
"However, the application for PR status will take time because it also involves the Immigration Department," he added.
Lucille Gacula Galicia, 41, from Philippines, said she faced difficulty landing jobs because she did not have PR status.
Having settled here 19 years ago after marrying a Malaysian, Galicia said her trouble started after her husband died from brain cancer nine years ago.
"I am now living on my late husband's Social Security (Socso) payment of RM500 monthly. (US$1=3.05)
"Without PR status, I have to depend on annual visa to stay here," she said in fluent Malay when met at National Registration Department (NRD) branch here Sunday.
Company executive Paul Raj, 52, said he came to apply PR status for his wife Lilia Bonayog, 47, another Philippine citizen.
Raj who married Bonayog 14 years ago praised the government for giving people the opportunity to solve their identity problems.
"It is an opportunity for a better future. We used to run all over the place to apply for personal documents," he added.
The campaign from Feb 19-26 is opened to Indians without documents related to birth, identity and citizenship.
It is led by the Cabinet Committee for the Indian Community with cooperation of the Home Ministry and Information Communication and Culture Ministry.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Information Communication and Culture, Maglin Dennis D'Cruz said he is satisfied with the campaign especially the cooperation given by NRD.
"About 300 people from Kapar, Bukit Raja and Klang came to sign up
Saturday. We are confident that conversion of PR status to citizenship can be completed this year.
"However, the application for PR status will take time because it also involves the Immigration Department," he added.
