Massive ops against illegal immigrants starts Jan 21 - Zahid

The Home Ministry is to launch a large-scale operation on Jan 21 against illegal immigrants in the country, Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Thursday.

He said the exercise would involve the Immigration Department, Royal Malaysia Police and People's Volunteer Corps (Rela).

It would begin a day after the special programme on the management of illegal immigrants ends on Jan 20, he told a news conference after launching the i-card for immigrant workers, here.

Ahmad Zahid said the cost of deporting the arrested illegal immigrants to their countries of origin would be borne by the immigrants themselves, their employers or the missions of these countries.

"The government will not use public funds to deport the illegal immigrants. We have discussed this matter with respective foreign missions," he said.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar; Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Khalid Shariff; Immigration Department director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar were also present at the news conference.

Ahmad Zahid said biometric fingerprint registration would be done for all the illegal immigrants before their deportation to ensure that they would not be able to return to Malaysia under a different name.

"The government will not compromise on the matter of foreigners living in Malaysia illegally, thus reducing the employment opportunities and depriving Malaysians of their right to earn a living," he said.

He also said that there would be no more extension of the special programme on the management of illegal immigrants after the expiry date of Jan 20, and reminded employers to send in their applications within the next 10 days.

"Do not wait until the last day when all the Immigration offices are congested to make the applications. We have given ample time," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the ongoing special programme on the management of illegal immigrants at the ministry's one-stop centre enabled employers claiming to have been cheated by agents or middle-men during the 6P programme on legalisation of illegal migrant workers to scrutinise their applications.

Over the last three months, only 3,951 applications were registered, he said, adding that it was hoped that employers would come to the centre early to avoid problems.