Everyday burdens of binational families

ACROSS Malaysia, hundreds of binational families live in a peculiar state of semi‑belonging. One spouse may have built a life here for decades, speak the language, share the food and the festivals, yet still be formally classified – and priced – as a foreigner.

For non‑citizen spouses, this legal label translates into a constant, low‑level reminder that you do not fully belong. No matter how much you try to fit in – culturally, linguistically – the systemic barriers are hard to overcome. Big issues with work and financial and basic social services are bad enough. Now add to them more subtle but persistent reminders of your alienness in daily life:

Look at practically any family activity. It is almost always the case that as a non‑citizen spouse, despite long‑term resident status and immediate family ties to citizens, you have to pay more. Often, it is double what your local spouse is charged.

This may sound like fault‑finding, almost trivial. The reality, however, is sobering, since the absolute majority of binational Malaysian families are essentially single‑income households through no fault of their own. Even with a Permanent Resident (PR) card (which eludes too many non‑citizen spouses) you are still not eligible for subsidised rates of anything.

The good news is that moving towards inclusion doesn’t require radical changes. Like in neighbouring Singapore, this could start with national museums and galleries, which are free for both citizens and PRs. Com-mercially operated attractions would then base their definition of “local residents” on the public sector’s admissions policy, setting an equivalent or a separate lower‑tier pricing for PRs.

SALSABIL GUL

Kuala Lumpur