I wonder if the government has ever contemplated the loss in talents this country loses when its "inhumane" immigration policies obstruct the foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens from becoming Malaysian citizens.

I have three daughters who were educated overseas and are now working overseas. Recently, one of them mentioned that her fiance (a New Zealand citizen) would like to work in Malaysia if she decided to come home to work. She was an Asean scholar trained in biotechnology including stem-cell research in Sydney, and I think Malaysia could do with her talents.

However, I discouraged her and her fiance because I told them he would have a most frustrating time with immigration. As he is very mobile because he is in the income bracket where his experience would be welcome anywhere, he decided to look to some other country.

In my work as a lawyer, I have seen cases of marriages breaking up because of the frustration that a foreign spouse faces in Malaysia. He/she is unable to work until years later after he/she gets PR (permanent resident) status. The deserted foreign wife, even when highly qualified, is usually in dire financial straits if her husband does not bother to maintain her and the children. She has to depend on charity of family and friends.

Ever since the 70s, women organisations have asked the government for a change of immigration policies but there is no real or substantial change. Why bother trying to attract foreign talents when we cannot even make adjustments in policies to keep our talented children home?