The round-up begins

With the deadline over, the Immigration Department has hit the ground running to nab unregistered foreign workers and their employers. And the Government will not budge from the July 1 time limit for E-Card registration.

PUTRAJAYA: The Government is sticking to its decision not to extend the deadline for the E-Card registration for foreign workers in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said there would be no leeway despite requests from employers and groups.

“Strict action awaits them. We have given more than ample time for employers. The Immigration Department director-general has also given many reminders and warnings about the deadline.

“Although only 23% of foreign workers have applied for the E-Card, we have no choice but to be strict.

“They are here in our country, hoping to earn a living, and we won’t stop them as long as they are doing it legally,” he told reporters during his Hari Raya open house at his official residence in Sri Satria here yesterday.

Both employers and foreign workers, said Dr Ahmad Zahid, should have been more responsible as they were aware that they had no working permit.

He also denied claims in a Kyodo News Agency report that Malaysia had stopped issuing work permits to North Koreans.

“That report is not true. No instruction has been given,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister.

Quoting sources, the report had claimed that the decision was made due to the recent diplomatic tension between Malaysia and North Korea.

The tension came about following the assassination of Kim Jong-nam – the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un – at KLIA2 on Feb 13.

During the open house, some 30,000 people turned up to feast on around 50 types of local delicacies as well as to enjoy performances by artistes such as pop diva Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Sufian Suhaimi.

Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and other Cabinet ministers.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also gave out duit raya and hampers to 220 orphans.

Behind bars: About 40 foreign workers being detained by the Immigration Department during a crackdown on illegals at the Menglembu Industrial Area in Ipoh, Perak. — Bernama

Festive treat: Dr Ahmad Zahid and wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis giving out ‘duit raya’ to the orphans during his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Sri Satria in Putrajaya.