PUTRAJAYA: Action has been taken against more than 54,000 foreign visitors for misusing their social visit passes, prompting the Prime Minister to call for firm enforcement measures, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the matter was raised during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, where ministers were briefed on recent enforcement operations targeting foreigners who entered the country on social visit passes but were later found to be working.
The government spokesman said the Home Ministry had informed the Cabinet that from 2025 up to mid-January, a total of 54,791 individuals had been inspected and subjected to enforcement action for misusing social visit passes.
Of the total, 51,100 cases were recorded throughout 2025, while action was taken on 3,691 individuals during the first half of January.
“The Prime Minister had stressed the need for strict and uncompromising enforcement against foreign nationals and visitors who abuse social visit passes or take advantage of visa relaxations to work illegally,” he said.
He added that the government remains committed to strengthening enforcement efforts to ensure immigration rules are respected and that the integrity of Malaysia’s visa system is upheld.
On another matter, Fahmi said Anwar has instructed his Cabinet to place renewed and explicit emphasis on integrity, following recent revelations of misconduct and corruption involving the top management of government departments and agencies.
He said Anwar had stressed that certain actions taken by enforcement bodies had, in some instances, reflected attitudes that risk eroding public confidence in national institutions.
Press briefing: Fahmi speaking to reporters about the number of foreign visitors who have been caught abusing their social visit passes. — Bernama
Fahmi said the Cabinet had not taken any action nor interfered in ongoing investigations, which are being handled independently by enforcement authorities.
“These actions are undertaken by enforcement bodies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“The Cabinet does not intervene. We fully leave it to the enforcement agencies to take action.”
He added that the Prime Minister’s reminder had also been followed up by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who has issued instructions to all ministry secretaries-general to further tighten integrity controls and ensure that no misconduct occurs.
