Malaysia’s Immigration officers will fan out across the nation in a major crackdown on illegal immigrants starting Friday, Aug 31. It will be the first of these operations under the Pakatan Harapan government.

An amnesty programme, which enables illegal immigrants to pay a RM300 (€62.50) fine and then pay a RM100 (€21) fee for a special pass allowing them to return to home, will end on Thursday, Aug 30.

But local manufacturers and business owners say they are worried that the “uncertainty” over the foreign worker policy may hurt their ability to manage operations. There were more than 1.7 million foreigners working in Malaysia legally at the end of June last year, but with estimates that a further one million or more are working in the country illegally. It is this large undocumented group that is the target of the government’s occasional crackdowns.

Malaysia is a magnet for migrant workers from countries such as Indonesia, Nepal and Bangladesh, due to the ease of getting jobs and a largely lax immigration enforcement. These workers help to construct high-rise towers, pluck palm oil fruits and harvest vegetables in plantations and much more.

Immigration director general Mustafar Ali said : “The amnesty deadline will not be extended. We will intensify our operations against illegal immigrants starting on Friday. We have given them ample time to sign up for the programme. Illegal immigrants are still heading to our offices around the country in a bid to obtain amnesty and return home.”

Datuk Seri Mustafar said the operations against illegal immigrants are an ongoing process with some 9,208 raids conducted between January and August 15: “We have arrested 28,063 illegal immigrants and 799 employers so far. Starting tomorrow [Friday], our efforts will only increase as we aim to free the country of illegal immigrants.”

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