Indonesia is making preparations to receive its nationals who may be deported under an integrated large-scale exercise by Malaysia against illegal immigrants.

Indonesia’s consul-general in Sabah, Soepeno Sahid, said the consulate had made the necessary arrangements, including setting up a special team, to handle the matter.

He was quoted as saying this by Antara news agency today.

Based on records at the consulate-general in Sabah, there are 452,000 Indonesian citizens in the state, as of July last year. They comprised workers, students and Indonesian government officers.

On Indonesian citizens staying in Sabah without valid documents, Soepeno believed that most of them were plantation workers.

Last month, Malaysian Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a large, integrated operation would be launched after the Aidilfitri celebrations against illegal immigrants in the country.

- Bernama