Over 1,200 undocumented migrant workers, including many workers from Bangladesh, have been rounded up by the authorities in a major crackdown in Malaysia in last three days.
The operation, dubbed Ops Mega 3.0, was carried out by the Immigration Department following the end of the rehiring programme on July 1, according to report of Malaysian daily, The Star.
“Since Sunday, we have carried out 473 operations nationwide and screened 5,038 foreigners.
“Out of that number, we detained 1,224 foreigners for further checks,” Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali told reporters during the department’s monthly assembly.
He said ample warning of londontoto stern enforcement action was given before the programme ended.
“From Feb 15, a total of 744,942 illegal workers and 83,919 employers had registered for the programme.
“Our records showed that a total of 415,791 illegals had come forward to get themselves legalised,” he said.
The Immigration Department, Mustafar added, would not compromise on those who broke the law, including 15 employers who would face action.
On overcrowding of illegal workers at depots nationwide, he said investigations would be completed within two weeks of detention.
“The Malaysian government can save administration costs, which can go up to RM25mil a month at these depots.
“It is better for this money to be used for other avenues, such as education, instead of looking after these illegal workers,” Mustafar added.
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