CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGALS
Immigration Department to conduct non-stop operations
THE Immigration Department has launched a nationwide operation to round up illegal immigrants following the conclusion of the 3+1 Programme on Aug 30. Its director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said the operation was part of efforts to rid the country of illegal immigrants.
He said the operation kicked off on Aug 31, adding that all state Immigration Department directors had been ordered to comply with the directive.
“The operation will not end today, tomorrow or the day after. It will be conducted continuously because the people want the country to be rid of illegal immigrants.
“We are working 24 hours a day and this will be a non-stop operation. This is the Immigration Department’s resolve,” said Mustafar during an operation in a rubber glove factory in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi here yesterday.
The 3+1 Programme is a voluntary surrender programme to enable all illegal immigrants who are not eligible under the Rehiring Programme to return to their country of origin voluntarily. The Rehiring Programme ended on June 30.
“Illegal immigrants still in the country will be severely dealt with. We want to make this country free of illegal immigrants,” he added.
Mustafar said between Jan 1 and Aug 30, the Immigration Department conducted 9,527 operations and inspected the papers of 116,927 foreigners.
He said 29,177 foreigners were arrested, adding that action was taken against 880 errant employers.
Mustafar said 1,800 factory workers were checked on by Immigration Department officers during yesterday’s operation.