Lawmakers from Asean have urged Malaysia to prioritise human rights in its ongoing crackdown on undocumented migrant workers in the country.

It said the workers, who are often victims of recruitment agents and errant employers, are usually not at fault for their status and should be treated fairly.

“A desire to decrease the number of undocumented workers in the country can never be an excuse to further victimise the vulnerable.

"While Malaysia has a legitimate need to address the fact that so many migrants find themselves without proper paperwork, it must ensure that basic human rights are respected for all people at all times,” said Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights board member Mu Sochua, a member of the Cambodian National Assembly...