KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has rubbished claims by an opposition MP that there are 1.2 million Chinese nationals in the country illegally.
The Home Minister chided Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas) for her recent allegations, which he said were unfounded and could not be defended.
"I want to settle once and for all the allegations made by YB Kepala Batas that there are 1.2 million Chinese nationals who entered the country since 2018 and have not left," he said when winding up his ministerial replies on the motion of thanks on the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (March 11).
He said the administration was transparent about the issue and based its response on data.
He clarified that 46 million foreigners entered the country between Jan 1, 2021, and Dec 31, last year.
"Of this, 39 million had left, meaning six million are still here," he said.
He noted that those who remained behind were on long-term passes valid for three to five years.
He added that this did not include those on social visits, diplomatic and student passes, among others.
"There are those who have overstayed, and that is why we implemented the recalibration programme so that they can register (and return home)," he said.
He added that 2.6 million foreigners who overstayed had come forward to register with the Immigration Department.
Meanwhile, Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) said Siti Mastura should retract her allegations and apologise to Saifuddin for her allegations, which could spark racial discontent.
He requested Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to order Siti Mastura to do so.
However, Johari said he was not present in the House when the allegations were made but would look into the matter.
