NIBONG TEBAL: After two years in operation, the Sungai Bakap temporary Immigration depot has finally closed down on Friday (March 31).
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the ownership of the site where the depot was located would be handed over back to its owner Syarikat Sri Impian Holiday & Recreation Sdn Bhd.
"The temporary depot will be closed officially at midnight (April 1) and it will be handed over back to its owner," he said during the closing ceremony of the depot here on Friday (March 31).
He said the depot started operating on Feb 15, 2021 and was opened at the height of the pandemic to curb the spread of the virus as well as to house illegal immigrants who could not be repatriated at the time.
He said during its operation, a total of 2,224 illegal immigrants had been held at the depot where they were supervised by 62 Immigration officers and personnel.
He said the operation of the temporary depot was also assisted by 32 Malaysian Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel.
He said a total of 33 illegal immigrants were the last batch of inmates held at the temporary depot until Feb 5, 2023.
"All 33 of them have either been sent to other depots or repatriated," he said.
On the Labour Recalibration Programme (RTK) 2.0 which begins on Jan 27 this year, Ruslin said a total of 27,572 employers have registered for the programme.
He said a total of 322,182 illegal immigrants had also applied to be in the programme.
Meanwhile, on his appointment as the new Immigration director-general, Ruslin said he would continue all the good work of his predecessor.
He said he would do his best to improve Immigration services.
He added that he would not compromise on officers involved in corruption and misuse of power.
