Woman seeks MP's help to marry Burmese refugee
Abdul Rahim SabriPublished: Jun 8, 2011 6:57 PM | Updated: Jun 8, 2011 7:10 PM
A 25-year-old Perak woman's plan to marry a Burmese national was dashed when it was revealed that her fiance is classified as a refugee under the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights.
A 25-year-old Perak woman's plan to marry a Burmese national was dashed when it was revealed that her fiance is classified as a refugee under the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights.
Amirah Ismail, 25, said she came to know her fiance David Sing Lian Pam, whose Muslim name is Mohd Daniel Abdullah, 28, a year ago, when she was working in a restaurant in Kelana Jaya.
"However, under the Immigration Act 1959, a refugee who does not possess any document will not be allowed to marry a Malaysian.
"Daniel embraced Islam in May with the hope we can get married. However, we could not do so as Daniel does not have the necessary documents.
"I truly hope I can get married with Daniel as I have received the blessings of my sister," said Amirah, adding that both her parents had passed away.
Amirah said Daniel could not stay for long in Malaysia, as he is not able to get a work permit. He was now staying with his uncle in Kelana Jaya.
She said when they went to the Federal Territory Islamic Department (Jawi), they were told that she could not marry a refugee as it was against the law.
Amirah, who is a voter in Lembah Pantai, sought help from MP Nurul Izzah Anwar (left, in picture above), who is also PKR vice-president, and the politician said she would try and get clarification on the matter from Jawi and the National Registration Department.
Nurul Izzah said she would also refer the matter to human rights NGO Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).
"Why can't the authorities accept that Daniel had been recognised by the UNHCR as a refugee and facilitate the marriage on humanitarian grounds?" she asked.
Amirah Ismail, 25, said she came to know her fiance David Sing Lian Pam, whose Muslim name is Mohd Daniel Abdullah, 28, a year ago, when she was working in a restaurant in Kelana Jaya.
"However, under the Immigration Act 1959, a refugee who does not possess any document will not be allowed to marry a Malaysian.
"Daniel embraced Islam in May with the hope we can get married. However, we could not do so as Daniel does not have the necessary documents.
"I truly hope I can get married with Daniel as I have received the blessings of my sister," said Amirah, adding that both her parents had passed away.
Amirah said Daniel could not stay for long in Malaysia, as he is not able to get a work permit. He was now staying with his uncle in Kelana Jaya.She said when they went to the Federal Territory Islamic Department (Jawi), they were told that she could not marry a refugee as it was against the law.
Amirah, who is a voter in Lembah Pantai, sought help from MP Nurul Izzah Anwar (left, in picture above), who is also PKR vice-president, and the politician said she would try and get clarification on the matter from Jawi and the National Registration Department.
Nurul Izzah said she would also refer the matter to human rights NGO Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).
"Why can't the authorities accept that Daniel had been recognised by the UNHCR as a refugee and facilitate the marriage on humanitarian grounds?" she asked.
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