Immigration Dept to start freezing assets of employers who protect illegal foreign workers

SEPANG: The Immigration Department will start freezing the assets of employers in the industrial sector who hire and protect illegal foreign workers from next month.

Its Director-General Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali (pic) said that there is a provision under Section 56(1) of the Immigration Act to freeze assets and bank accounts of employers, however, it has not been fully enforced.

"We don't want the public to get shocked when we finally take this measure come October this year. It's not a new thing.

"We hope the media can relay the message to the public so that we can create awareness, as well as inform employers of the consequences they face when they protect their illegal foreign workers," he said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

Mustafar said the department has also discussed the matter with legal advisers.

"The department is giving employers until the end of this month to sort everything –their workers' travel documents, visas and permits," he said.

On a separate matter, Mustafar said the department would consult with the National Higher Education Fund Corporation, Inland Revenue Board and Malaysian Insolvency Department to help solve the issue of blacklisted Malaysian travellers.

"We would like to suggest to these agencies to come up with a 24-hour help desk at the airport so that they are accessible to the public at all times.

"Although the Immigration Department is reachable at all times, the department is only a gatekeeper and all orders must come from these agencies," he said.