Illegal foreign workers are allowed to go back to their countries using legal means to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

However, they have to first obtain the temporary travel documents from their respective embassies or high commissions, he said.

Ahmad Zahid who is also the Home Minister said the decision was made with the agreement and cooperation of the Indonesian embassy and other embassies including Myanmar and Bangladesh high commission.

He also guaranteed that no legal action will be taken against them if they obtain the proper travel documents and go back home using legal channels.

Ahmad Zahid also issued stern warning against engaging agents who use boats which do not meet the safety requirement to ferry the illegal workers.

He said in Hutan Melintang, the authorities had arrested some illegal workers who were trying to go back to their country using illegal channel.

“Authorities were forced to take action because they had used the illegal means,” he said yesterday.

Zahid also reminded the agents and boat owners not to take advantage of the situation.

“The lives of the workers are more important,” he said.

He estimated some 250,000 illegal workers from Indonesia will be going back to their countries for this Hari Raya.

He said the Malaysian government is also ready to process their working visas if they want to come back to work in the country.