Is expat workforce not valued?

IT was welcome news when the government finally decided to let expatriates with MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) visas back into the country (The Star, May 17; online at bit.ly/star_expats). They are certainly grateful for the Tourism Ministry’s support in making this happen.

What is surprising is that expats with employment passes are still being refused entry. The government has opened up most businesses and these expats usually occupy management positions in some of them or have valued technical skills, so we cannot understand the logic of continuing to keep them out of Malaysia. If the aim is to get the economy moving, doesn’t it make sense to let them back in to contribute to the country’s economic growth?