Chronology - Malaysia Cracks Down on Illegal Workers

Reuters
Tuesday, March 1, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Reuters) - Malaysia launched a crackdown on illegal immigrants on Tuesday, clamping down on a flow of economic migrants from Indonesia that is arguably the second largest flow of illegal immigrants in the world after movements across the U.S.-Mexican border.

Following is a chronology of events preceding the crackdown:

2002

Amnesty for illegal immigrants is followed by a round-up that provokes complaints of human rights abuse in detention centres.

2004

October 21 - Malaysia announces amnesty for an estimated 1.2 million illegal immigrants to return home without fines or punishment, initially set to run from Oct. 29 until Nov. 14.

November 10 - Malaysia extends amnesty at request of poorer neighbour Indonesia, home to most of the immigrant workers.

December 29 - Malaysia extends amnesty until Jan. 31 after tsunami of Dec. 26 wreaks havoc across Asia, with Indonesia hit the hardest.

2005

February 2 - Malaysia extends amnesty indefinitely after Indonesia says it is unprepared to handle an influx of immigrants as it struggles to cope with the aftermath of the tsunami.

February 8 - Indonesia threatens to launch legal action against Malaysian firms that delay payments to citizens working in Malaysia.

February 14 - Malaysia gives illegal immigrants two weeks to leave, making a third concession to Indonesia, following talks in Kuala Lumpur between Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

- Officials say about 400,000 immigrants have left the country, but estimate that between 200,000 and 400,000 remain.

February 15 - Amnesty International urges Malaysia not to go continue with the crackdown, saying refugees and asylum-seekers among them face torture or detention at home.

February 16 - Malaysia outlines revolving door immigration policy, saying it will let illegal immigrants who take up the amnesty to return within 24 hours, provided they come back through the proper channels.

February 28 - End of amnesty. Officials prepare to swing into action against remaining offenders, estimated at between 200,000 and 400,000. A volunteer force of about 300,000 will be deployed to assist about 600 enforcement officials.