KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's decision to keep its borders closed has left binational couples pining for their other halves since 2020.
The MyTravelPass (MTP), introduced by the government in October 2020 to expedite the entry process for foreigners, has unfortunately turned into red tape, pushing binational couples and families further apart.
Crystal Au, 27, likened the MTP approval process to a "lucky draw" as the system randomly approved or rejected applications without any consistent guidelines in place.
"The review process often consumes at least two months.
"Besides citing 'Incomplete Supporting Documents' as the basis for rejection, the system also does not state the missing documents for the applicants to include when they reapply.
"The process is even more cumbersome for unmarried couples as they lack legal status to verify their relationship.
"Some frustrated couples have opted to use the Langkawi Travel Bubble to reunite, but this facility is very expensive and confines their movement within the island."
She said those with partners in Europe were fortunate to use the "sweetheart visas" offered by several European countries for unmarried couples.
"The process is much easier as couples only need to fill in a form asking for their personal details, provide proof of relationship and sign a declaration to confirm that relationship under penalty of perjury.
"The proof of relationship requirement includes screenshots of chats, duration of videocalls and social media correspondence.
"Until Malaysia grants our foreign partners travel exemptions, we have to rely on such facilities from our partner's countries to meet them," she told the New Straits Times.
Crystal, a 3D animation artist, was separated from her German-born boyfriend when the Covid-19 pandemic grounded air travel in March 2020.
During this period, she banded together with other Malaysians in a similar predicament to launch the "Love is not Tourism Malaysia" movement on social media in 2020.
Since then, the group has met several ministers, including Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, to highlight the plight faced by binational couples.
Crystal said the group had also proposed that the foreign minister allow unmarried foreign partners to enter Malaysia without the MTP requirement.
Another Malaysian, who wanted to be known only as Nicole, described the indefinite separation from her Italian-born fiancé as "traumatising and unbearable".
"My partner's application for a MTP has been rejected three times. Every rejection hits us hard because it continues to postpone our wedding.
"My fiancé is consulting a therapist after having an anxiety attack recently.
"I would have travelled to Italy to get married, but my parents are old and cannot travel that far."
Similarly, being denied a MTP pass has thwarted a Dutch woman's plans to tie the knot with her Malaysian sweetheart.
The 28-year-old from the Netherlands who wanted to be known only as Elise said it was disheartening to see Malaysia dismiss visits and trips by binational couples and families to the country as "non-essential travel".
"We will adhere to the vaccination, testing and quarantine requirements as long as we are allowed to reunite with our partners."
For Indonesian-born Septi Yani, 31, giving birth to her twin babies alone and having to see them grow up without their father's presence is tormenting.
Yani was two months' pregnant when she returned to Indonesia to collect some documents. But the border closure since March 2020 has prevented her from returning to her husband in Malaysia.
"I can't imagine the agony that my husband is going through without his family in Malaysia. He has not even touched or held the babies since they were born. No father should endure this.
"Please don't keep us apart any more. I have two children who are longing for their father's love."
