Malaysian Govt to Deploy Millions to Crack Down on Illegal Migrants

15 October 2011 – KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government is planning to deploy more than four million strong enforcement officers and volunteers to detain and expel undocumented foreign workers nationwide as soon as the country’s amnesty program is over by the end of this year.

The major crackdown will be headed by immigration department with support from three millions volunteer corps or Rela members, 125,000 polices and 110,000 soldiers.

In a press statement on Friday evening, Home Ministry Chief Secretary, Tan Sri Mahmood Adam said his ministry already discussed methods to be used during the major crackdown.

“Agencies which are not granted any right to hold crackdown under Immigration Act can only involve in the operation with the presence of immigration officers,” he said.

Mahmood said the ministry has suggested that undocumented foreign workers and their employers who are not registered under the amnesty program be given a grace period to surrender themselves before the crackdown.

“They will not be punished under Malaysian Law if they surrender themselves, the employers however must bear the cost to send their illegal workers back to their home countries.”

“The major crackdown will follow suit as soon as the grace period is over,” he said.

Reporting by Thomas Chong