Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh. – Filepic
PUTRAJAYA: The failure of institutions of higher learning (IPTs) in informing the authorities of “missing” foreign students is among the factors that have contributed to the abuse of student passes, says Immigration director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.
While such cases are not prevalent, educational institutions have an obligation to inform the authorities should foreign students fail to turn up for classes, he said.
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“I don’t deny cases of the abuse of student passes exist, but they are not prevalent.
“However, there are some colleges and universities that failed to inform us when their students do not attend classes. They should inform us because if they don’t, it is hard for us to track down the students,” he said in an interview recently.
Ruslin said he would engage Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), which is under the Higher Education Ministry, to address the matter soon.
“In the past, we have encountered cases where foreign students were found to be working instead of studying, while other students were caught overstaying.
“Recently, there was a case of a Bangladeshi student detained for forging passports and selling them to foreigners.
“There were also cases where foreign students failed to attend classes at universities and colleges.
“It is compulsory for universities or colleges to inform us should foreign students fail to attend classes or do not turn up at all.
“We want to curb the problem (of missing students) before it becomes worse,” he added.
Ruslin said student passes are divided into two categories. Some passes are renewed yearly while others are issued for the full duration of their studies in the country.
“We will look into the abuse of student passes seriously and we will also be reviewing our SOP (standard operating procedure) involving foreign students from time to time,” he said.
On another matter, Ruslin said 51,838 undocumented immigrants were detained following 9,289 enforcement operations nationwide this year.
“We conducted 9,289 operations at 224 hotspots around the country between Jan 1 and July 16, which is an average of about 51 operations daily.
“A total of 89,226 foreigners were inspected and, from these, 51,838 undocumented foreigners have been detained so far,” he added.
Ruslin said Malaysia relies on foreign labour to fulfil the needs of several economic sectors, including construction, services and agriculture.
“We have about 2.4 million registered foreign workers in the country.
“However, we will take stern action against foreigners who violate immigration regulations, such as overstaying or abusing work passes.”
Ruslin said the department also detained 572 employers for hiring illegals.
“One of the factors causing the increase of illegal immigrants in the country is the tendency of employers to keep hiring them.
“Hiring, harbouring and letting undocumented immigrants stay at premises are considered offences under the Immigration Act.
“We urge all employers to adhere to the regulations. When they follow the law, the illegal immigrants will not have any place to find work,” he said.
