Minister: 712k migrants register in recalibration programmes
Of the total, he said 293,907 registered for the Return Recalibration while another 418,528 registered for Labour Recalibration.
“Through the Return Recalibration, the Immigration Department...
A total of 712,435 undocumented immigrants have registered under the Return Recalibration and Labour Recalibration programmes since both were implemented in November 2020 until June 30, 2022, said Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin.
Of the total, he said 293,907 registered for the Return Recalibration while another 418,528 registered for Labour Recalibration.
“Through the Return Recalibration, the Immigration Department recorded a total of 255,111 illegal immigrants have returned to their countries of origin and generated revenue of RM140,558,600 to the government,” he said.
He was speaking at a press conference after presenting citizenship approval letters to 28 recipients in Putrajaya today.
For the Labour Recalibration programme, 335,276 undocumented immigrants were present for the verification process at the Immigration Department, he said.
He noted that 3,900 of them failed the verification process due to being on a suspect list, blacklist, or were reported to have run away by their employers, among other reasons.
Hamzah said 114,121 Temporary Employment Visit Passes (PLKS) were approved by the Immigration Department through the Labour Recalibration programme.
“The government has collected a security deposit of RM209,262,000, and revenue through recalibration fees, levies, passes, visas, and processes, amounting to RM 331,844,264.50,” he said.
On Nov 16, 2020, the government launched the Illegal Immigrant Recalibration Plan, implemented by the Immigration Department in collaboration with the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department (JTKSM) and other government agencies.
The Plan did not involve vendors or third parties.
It is to regularise undocumented immigrants in the country as foreign workers, who can then be hired by eligible employers subject to stringent conditions determined by the government.
The Return Recalibration programme is a government initiative to provide an opportunity for immigrants who have overstayed and are in Malaysia without a valid pass, to voluntarily return to their country of origin.
Ministry will track workers
Hamzah, meanwhile, reminded employers not to abuse registered foreign workers.
“If workers register for a job in a restaurant, they can't serve other sectors… don't misuse it,” he said.
Hamzah said his ministry will also implement an e-locker programme to track the presence of foreign workers in the country as well as the salaries they earn.
On the handing over of the citizenship letters today, Hamzah said the recipients were granted citizenship status according to Article 15A of the Federal Constitution.
Article 15A provides the power to the federal government in special circumstances to register a person under the age of 21 as a citizen.
“The granting of citizenship status is the highest award conferred by the federal government and it is hoped that they will become responsible citizens for the prosperity and progress of the country,” he said.
Hamzah also advised Malaysians who married foreigners, either locally or abroad, to legally register their marriages according to the laws of this country.
“Don’t treat this matter lightly to avoid problems in the future,” he said.
- Bernama
