Security high on agenda

New council and crackdown on illegals planned for 2020

PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry will strengthen its policies and operations next year by launching a consultative council on security and public order as well as kicking off a holistic plan to crack down on illegal immigrants.

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the input from experts and experienced members of the Security and Public Order Consultative Council (MPMKKA) would be crucial in strengthening the administration of the ministry as well as the departments and security agencies under it.

The council is expected to start operating next year.

“I will chair MPMKKA to ensure the platform works and functions as planned,” he told Bernama here recently.

Muhyiddin said the 40-member council would comprise civilians, community leaders, NGO representatives and academics from various backgrounds.

He said the views expressed by MPMKKA would be considered when making any policy decisions.

Also to be launched next year would be a holistic plan on enforcement against illegal immigrants to ensure Malaysia achieved zero illegal immigrants in the set period, said Muhyiddin.

He said the flood of illegal immigrants should be tackled through firmer enforcement and legal action.

“This year we have achieved a lot of success in combating the problem and this plan outlines the programme or measures for the next five years, and I will start it in 2020.

“Through this plan, we want to make sure that every year the number of illegal immigrants drops until a stage where no more foreign workers will be entering or working illegally in the country,” he said.

The holistic plan, drawn up by the ministry in June, also involves state governments, local authorities, Village Community Management Councils, and Village Development and Security Committees.

The plan outlines five strategies for eradicating the illegal immigrant problem – enforcement operation; legal and policy; border control and entry points; management of foreigners; and media and publicity.

With this plan, Muhyiddin foresees that his ministry would no longer have to conduct any more amnesty programmes which, he said, give the wrong signal to foreigners.

“They dare to enter illegally because they think Malaysia is not firm in terms of immigration regulations and clearly this is the wrong signal,” he said.