Immigration: Holding depots not overcrowded

PETALING JAYA: Holding facilities are not overcrowded as the Immigration Department continues its crackdown on illegal workers.

“The question of overcrowding does not arise. The department has 13 depots.

“Also, before the operation started, we ensured that detainees who were in the depots were deported first,” said department directorgeneral Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali following a Hari Raya celebration at the department’s headquarters in Putrajaya.

He added, however, that while some depots were holding more detainees than usual, extra detainees could be transferred between the depots.

As of press time, the department had taken action against 3,116 illegal workers and 63 employers as part of its Ops Mega, which was launched after the June 30 deadline for E-Card (enforcement card) registration.

Mustafar said his department had pushed for the maximum penalty for offenders, including employers.

“The employers are also going to face stern action. They could face fines, jail time and whipping.

“Last week, we charged an employer who had 19 illegal workers. I believe that some of the arrested workers have already been deported.

“I have instructed the operations (division) and our legal advisers to ensure that investigations are done promptly,” he said.

He added that the top offenders were from the construction, manufacturing and service industries.

Statistics from the department showed that most arrested illegal workers were from Bangladesh with 1,183 workers.

On recent reports about Indonesia’s request to extend the E-Card registration, Mustafar said: “A total no. The Government has decided not to extend.”

However, he added that while he welcomed both governments to meet for discussions, it was up to the ministry to decide.

Before the operation started, we ensured that detainees who were in the depots were deported first.

Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali