Kuching: Retired civil servants from Sabah and West Malaysia who have dedicated their careers to Sarawak deserve the right to remain in the state after retirement, said Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong Wui Wui, as she urged the Sarawak Government to address what she called a glaring policy gap.
Raising the issue in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, Violet questioned why Sarawak welcomes foreign nationals under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme but imposes unclear immigration rules on fellow Malaysians who have served the state for decades.
“If the Sarawak Government is willing to welcome foreigners under MM2H, surely we can extend the same courtesy and consideration to our fellow Malaysians from Sabah and West Malaysia who have served Sarawak with loyalty and honour,” said Violet during her debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Tuan Yang Terutama’s speech.
She noted that many non-Sarawakian professionals, including doctors, teachers, professors, police officers, and armed forces personnel, had spent decades serving the state, raising families, and integrating into local communities.
“Despite this, they are often required to return to their home states once they retire due to State Immigration policy.
“I can’t understand, on the one hand, that Sarawak allows foreigners to settle in Sarawak under MM2H. On the other hand, we ask our fellow Malaysians – people who have served us faithfully – to leave immediately. Where is the fairness in this?” she asked.
Violet said she had confirmed with the Sarawak Immigration Department that no existing policy allows these individuals to remain in the state post-retirement, even if they own property or held high-ranking posts such as department directors, police commissioners, or senior military officers.
“Many of them see Sarawak as home, yet they are not allowed to stay. This is not about promoting West Malaysians or Sabahans – it’s about recognising Malaysians who have contributed to Sarawak.
“Many members of this House, including the Honourable Member for Batu Kawa, have spouses from West Malaysia. This is not an “us versus them” issue. It is a matter of respect and common sense,” she stated.
Violet proposed that the Sarawak Government introduce a policy that allows retired non-Sarawakian civil servants with non-Sarawakian spouses who have demonstrated their commitment to Sarawak to apply for Sarawak Citizenship Status or at least as Permanent Residents.
“Let us not close the door on those who have stood with us, served beside us, and made Sarawak their home,” she concluded.
