With regards to Sy Leng's situation , I am on the opposite. I am a foreign husband and have been residing in East Malaysia for the past 15 years. I have two kids who are Malaysians.

I decide to stay here because of the family. My wife prefers living close to her relatives. For the sake of keeping the family together, I give up everything I had in my parent country and settled down here.

I once approached Immigration to apply for a PR (permanent resident). While I enquired further, the officer-in-charge asked for my reason for the application. I explained my situation. The answer I received without even having my application process was "take the woman back, why stay here". Well, my rational feeling for his reaction was that we are non-Muslim and if I am a Muslim, the scenario will be different.

From that time on, I would not want to have anything to do with any department of the civil service. They are not sincere to assist but lord over us. I have seen with my own eyes how they lord over the uneducated, kampong folks - like slaves.

Our government is more concerned about money. The current issues reported are all about "what's in it for me". I agreed with Sy Leng that the government only welcome tourists and those participating in the second-home programme. Who cares about how Sy Leng and me and many others, who may not contribute in dollars and cents specify by them but want only to be obedient, law-bidding citizens with a decent family and a safe roof over our heads?

I can't go anywhere now because my family are rooted here. If I am not allow to stay here, my family will be broken up. Thank God that there were other arrangements which I can used - that is, praying that I will not lost my job.