KUCHING: A call has been made for the current ruling on Singapore work permit for Dayaks to be reviewed.
Fu accepting a souvenir from Salang (centre) as (from left) Ong, DCCI secretary-general Libat Langub and its treasurer-general Allan Keripin look on.
This special request was made by Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Datuk Joseph Salang during a meeting with a delegation from the republic led by its Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Grace Fu on Tuesday.
Salang noted that the imposition of certain criteria for work permits exercised by some relevant authorities in Singapore on Sabah and Sarawak natives, aged 36 and below, following a series of crimes – including murder – involving them several years ago, had resulted in these workers being barred from coming to the republic.
“I specially request that the permits for Dayak workers below 36 years old in Singapore be revisited. Whilst it is the prerogative of the Singaporean authorities to manage their foreign workers, this criterion has caused problems for our people who are keen to work there,” he said.
The ruling, which took effect in late 2012, had resulted in many Sarawakian Dayaks working in Singapore losing their jobs as they could not renew their permits, forcing some to work in Johor albeit with lesser income.
Based on media reports, Sarawakian natives especially skilled workers are sought for work in the oil and gas sector, fabrication and factory maintenance.
Other issues also discussed during the meeting involved the prospects of maintenance of business line for further communication and talks on business development for products with potential markets in Singapore.
Salang also mentioned the need for direct air links between Sibu and Singapore, focusing on transportation of products apart from passengers.
It was further mentioned that Singaporean entrepreneurs might consider opening up certain areas of business in the state involving young Sarawakians possibly as middle level managers and professionals.
Fu, who is also Singapore’s Second Minister of Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, was accompanied by High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia Ong Keng Yang throughout her four-day working visit to the state beginning Tuesday, in the latest of a series of exchanges between Singapore and Sarawak.
The issue of secondary student exchanges between the two sides was also discussed. On this, Ong expressed the commissioner’s keenness on this programme, adding that he was pleased with DCCI’s willingness to assist in communicating it, especially in rural schools where the majority of students are Dayaks.
It was said that this programme could benefit Singaporean students by way of exposing them to Sarawak and its people.