Only a handful of institutions of higher learning (IPT) lodge reports when foreign students at their colleges did not attend class over a long period of time, says Immigration director-general Mustafar Ali.

Commenting on calls by several parties to ensure entry of foreign students at IPT, especially private institutions, be tightened following issues of drugs, he said IPT should report to the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) when foreign students disappeared, to facilitate monitoring by the Immigration Department.

“The Immigration Department has always worked with KPT to monitor the whereabouts of students to ensure they are here to study.

“However, IPT should also lodge a report to KPT to facilitate in our monitoring,” he told reporters after observing the process of E-Card registrations at the Immigration Department head office in Putrajaya tonight.

Asked if IPT could face action for failing to report, he said the matter was up to KPT as the body regulating IPT in the country.

Two days ago, Bukit Aman Narcotics CID director Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said Nigerian nationals comprised the largest number of people arrested for drug cases and many entered the country using student pass.

According to him, based on arrest statistics for 2015, 2016 and this year, 358 foreign students were arrested for possession and trafficking of drugs.

Following that, several parties have called for more stringent checks on IPT especially private colleges, which recruit many foreign students.

- Bernama