Surrender illegal immigrants by year-end to avoid penalty, employers told – Bernama
Published: 15 November 2014
File photo of foreign workers entering the Immigration Department in Putrajaya to be registered under the 6P amnesty programme. - The Malaysian Insider pic, November 15, 2014.Employers hiring illegal immigrants but who surrender them to the Malaysian Immigration Department before December 31 will not be penalised.
Immigration Department deputy director-general (Control division) Datuk Sakib Kusmi said the department gave its assurance that action would not be taken against employers who voluntarily hand over illegal immigrants in their employment.
"If the employers stubbornly shelter the illegals, they could be charged under Section 56(1)(d) and fined RM5,000.
Sakib said if the employers were still stubborn and refused to cooperate, the department could seize the vehicles they use to ferry and smuggle illegals.
"I appeal to all quarters involved whether in hiring or protecting illegals to order them to surrender under the amnesty programme which will end on December 31," he said.
He said, to date, the number of foreign workers registered nationwide was 2.2 million while 2.5 million were not registered as of this year.
He said 30,000 illegals had been arrested from January to October this year nationwide.
In addition, more than 50,000 illegals had voluntarily surrendered under the amnesty programme from July until October this year," he added.
On Sunday, the department had detained 181 illegal immigrants in Cameron Highlands after launching a massive crackdown.
On November 10, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had called for heavier penalties to be imposed on those who brought in illegal immigrants, including whipping. – Bernama, November 15, 2014.
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