Letter to Editor
I WRITE as a Malaysian wife and mother, deeply disappointed by a recent experience that highlights how self-employed citizens, especially those in the gig economy are too often overlooked and misunderstood.
My husband has been a full-time e-hailing driver since 2020. He owns and maintains his vehicle, files taxes, contributes to the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) and holds an active insurance policy.
Yet when we applied for a tourist visa for a short family holiday with our six-year-old daughter, his application was rejected.
Despite our responsible planning, travel history and financial documentation, the decision stated he lacked sufficient ‘economic incentive’ to return home.
This isn’t just harsh, it’s discriminatory. E-hailing drivers are self-employed, not unemployed. Yet it seems that honest, consistent work is not seen as credible enough.
We face the same bias at home, where banks decline car hire purchase loan applications even with regular income proof.
And now we are waiting for the petrol subsidies mechanism. Some say it may be assessed based on household income, if so, families like ours where the spouse is also working, risk being unfairly excluded.
How does one even assess an e-hailing driver’s ‘net income’? Is it before or after deducting petrol, loan installments, insurance and car maintenance? These details are often invisible to systems designed only for salaried employees. And yet, these are the very people who keep our cities moving.
We saved diligently for this trip, bought insurance, and prepared everything with care. But now we have to explain to our daughter that it won’t happen, not because her father did anything wrong, but because his work isn’t considered ‘secure’ enough.
I hope this letter raises awareness not just about visa policies, but about how we value dignity, responsibility and contribution in today’s evolving workforce. Honest work should be respected, not rejected. ‒ June 3, 2025
A Malaysian Wife and Mother
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: The Star
