PUTRAJAYA: More than 54,000 foreign visitors have faced action for misusing social visit passes to work in Malaysia, prompting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to call for firm enforcement measures.
Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the matter was raised during the Cabinet meeting on Friday (Jan 30), where ministers were briefed on enforcement operations targeting foreigners who entered on social visit passes but were found to be working.
Fahmi said that although these individuals entered Malaysia for social purposes such as tourism or visiting family, enforcement agencies detected employment that breached immigration rules.
“While their entry was on social grounds, for example to visit or to travel, enforcement operations found elements of work being carried out,” he told a press conference.
The Communications Minister said the Home Ministry informed the Cabinet that from 2025 to mid-January this year, 54,791 individuals had been inspected and subjected to enforcement action for misusing passes. Of the total, 51,100 cases were recorded in 2025, while 3,691 individuals were caught during the first half of January 2026.
He added that the Prime Minister stressed the need for uncompromising enforcement against foreign nationals who abuse social visit passes or take advantage of visa relaxations to work illegally.
“What was emphasised in today’s Cabinet meeting is the Prime Minister’s instruction that firm action must be taken against foreign nationals and visitors who misuse social visit passes or visa flexibilities for employment purposes,” Fahmi said.
He said the government remains committed to strengthening enforcement to ensure immigration rules are respected and the integrity of the visa system is upheld.
