FOREIGNERS IN KELANTAN TO RETURN HOME

Many will return to their home countries despite having just arrived in Malaysia

MANY foreigners working in Kelantan, mostly in construction sites, will adhere to the government’s 3+1 programme with regards to foreign workers, although a majority of them just arrived in this country.

Bangladeshi Rakib Hassan, 21, said he had no choice and had to follow the directive, although he arrived in Malaysia only three months ago.

“I come from a poor family and came to Malaysia to work to help my family.

“I have valid papers that expire next year. But because two of my friends’ documents will expire soon, I will return home with them,” he said at a shopping complex here.

Rakib, who is from Mondu, Bangladesh, works in a construction site in Jelawat, Bachok, with his two friends.

For Myanmar citizen Anower Hussain, 23, he expressed sadness knowing that many of his friends had returned to their country to avoid being arrested following the rehiring programme.

“However, we have followed to the Malaysian government’s directive.

“Otherwise, we might be arrested and issued a compound by the Immigration Department.”

The construction worker, who has been in Malaysia for five years, hoped the government would reconsider the decision.

“Many foreigners like to work in Malaysia because it is peaceful.

“We hope the government will consider allowing us to work here again.”

The Immigration Department launched its Op Mega 3.0 following the end of the rehiring programme on June 30.

The 3+1 programme is a voluntary surrender programme to enable illegal immigrants who are not eligible under the Rehiring Programme to return to their countries of origin.

Failure to do so by Aug 30 will see them facing arrest.