Malaysia To Use 300,000 Force In Illegal Worker Crackdown

Associated Press
Sunday, February 27, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 300,000 officials and volunteers were set to be deployed in Malaysia's biggest crackdown against illegal migrant workers, mostly Indonesians, after a government amnesty expires Monday.

"We will be strict but fair -the operation will target both illegal migrants and Malaysian employers who hire these people," Ishak Mohamad, the immigration enforcement chief who is coordinating the crackdown, told The Associated Press.

He said about 300,000 policemen, government officials and civilian volunteers will fan out across the country starting Tuesday to catch an estimated 500,000 illegal workers who have remained despite three extensions to the amnesty since October. He called the upcoming crackdown "the most comprehensive action taken to weed out the problem of illegal migrants in Malaysia."

About 400,000 illegal migrants have returned home during the amnesty period. Foreign workers are employed in Malaysia's booming construction sector and palm oil plantations in some of the most remote parts of the country including the eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island.

"Those illegals who remain in the country probably think we are not serious," Ishak said. "But these migrants and their employers better be warned ... the crackdown is on, and there is no turning back."

The government has faced accusations from Malaysians that it has been too soft on the illegal migrants who have been blamed for adding to the country's crime rate and social problems.

Those who return home under the amnesty will be allowed to re-enter for work, provided they have valid papers. Those who remain illegally will be arrested and face fines, jail terms and possibly lashings with a rattan cane before being deported. They will also be barred from returning to Malaysia.