KUCHING, April 28 -- The Sarawak government is considering grant permanent resident status to businessmen from peninsular Malaysia as proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said today that he welcomed Fadillah's suggestion as it would help boost the local economy, but added that there would have to be conditions attached.

"Yes, certainly I welcome the suggestion," he told reporters after officiating at the national-level World Water Day celebration here.

He agreed with Fadillah that any businessman who wants to apply for the permanent residency must have RM2 million deposit in a soon-to-be Sarawak government-owned bank, buy a property worth RM1.5 million and above and mus...