Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said they should return
home using “the way they came in” and not come back.
<p>“I am sure if they know how to enter the country they will definitely
know the way out,” he said, adding that his call for them to leave should
not be construed as an amnesty. </p>
<p>Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad: ‘I am sure if the
illegals know how to enter the country, they definitely know the way out.’<br>
“And if they get caught leaving the country, it’s tough luck.”
</p>
<p>Radzi was speaking to newsmen after a buka puasa event with agencies under
his ministry here on Thursday night. </p>
<p>He said the Immigration Department’s biometric self-identification system
implemented last year had helped in identifying illegal immigrants. </p>
<p>“Under the system, the thumbprints of all illegal immigrants are taken
when they are caught,” he explained. </p>
<p>“If they return to Malaysia later with valid documents, the system can
identify those who have been deported and weed them out.” </p>
<p>Radzi said that on average about 70 to 80 illegal immigrants were arrested
daily while 800 to 900 foreign workers arrive at the KL International Airport
daily. </p>
<p>On the planned crackdown next year, he said Rela members would be roped in
for the operation. </p>
<p>He said since Rela was given authority last year to nab illegal immigrants,
its members had arrested about 19,000 foreigners. </p>
<p>Radzi said he had also sought an allocation from the Finance Ministry to set
up more detention centres because the current centres in all states except Perlis
could not accommodate the high number of illegal workers caught.
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