I found this letter in malaysiakini while looking for some relevant information regarding foreign wives in the country.

I have been married and living in Malaysia for nearly two decades and during my entire stay, I have lived in the country like a natural-born citizen of the country. I feel as if I belong here. With all my heart, with all my soul, I embraced everything Malaysian but till todate, after all these years, I am never granted citizenship or at least PR status.

I could only imagine what it would be like if my marriage ended. I have devoted my life to my marriage, children and to this country but time and people change and my spouse has turned into a verbally and occasional physically abusive husband. I have been alone for many years in mental torture and never seek support from the authority except that I tried getting help from his family and to my disappointment supported my husband.

I was helpless and felt alone that I made some bad decisions to try to correct the situation. It nearly jeopardised my children's future. I admit, I do not have the courage to fight as I have

nowhere else to go and afraid that the relevant authority might support my husband if I file for a divorce. I just wish that the Immigration Department had given me a permanent status so that I would be entitled to the same rights as Malaysians are.

I hope this letter gives hope to many people who are in the same situation.