Cheated Immigrants Urged to Bring Cases to Malaysian Tribunal
03 September 2011 – KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign workers including undocumented immigrants who were cheated or paid exorbitant charges for registration under the 6P amnesty programme are urged to file their cases with the consumer tribunal to get back the excess money. 
Consumer tribunal provided an alternative for the immigrants to claim for any losses incurred, in a less cumbersome and speedy manner by just paying RM5 (USD$1.70) to file a complaint.
It was noticed that thousands of illegal immigrants had paid more than the stipulated amount fixed under the 6P amnesty programme.
The government has fixed RM35 as a maximum rate for registration of illegal immigrants through 348 appointed managing companies or agents, while the maximum service charge for legalisation is RM300.
Former consumer tribunal chairman, Pretam Singh Darshan Singh, said those who have been charged more than what is necessary could file a case (to recover the excess) under the consumer tribunal.
“Those who misrepresent the cost of the service could be charged under the Consumer Protection Act 1999”
“In such a consciousness, foreigners who have been duped into paying the additional cost may file their cases,” he told Malaysia National News Agency, Bernama in an interview.
Over 2.5 million foreign workers had registered under the 6P amnesty programme since its beginning on 13 July until 31 August.
Of the number, 1.6 million were legal foreign workers while the rest were undocumented.
Reporting by Thomas Chong
