The Immigration Department detained foreign nationals today (February 5, 2026) during enforcement operations near a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 155,000 foreign nationals have come forward to participate in the Migrant Repatriation Programme since its implementation last year, with over 138,000 of them successfully repatriated to their countries of origin.
Immigration deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said the programme has also generated more than RM77mil in revenue through fines and compounds imposed on participants.
He said Bangladeshi nationals recorded the highest participation in the programme, followed by Indonesians.
“The programme has been in place since last year, and many have taken the opportunity to return home through this initiative,” he said.
Datuk Lokman said the programme remains open until April and urged foreign nationals who have overstayed or do not possess valid visas and permits to take advantage of it before it closes.
“Once the programme ends, those found staying in the country illegally will be subject to enforcement action under existing laws,” he said.
According to him, participation in the programme has been encouraging so far, with authorities expecting the numbers to increase closer to the closing date.
“Based on past trends, participation usually rises as the programme nears its end,” he said.
In May last year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was reported as saying that the government had agreed to extend the programme, which began on May 19, 2025, until April 30 this year, specifically for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
The programme is a voluntary amnesty initiative that allows undocumented migrants to return to their home countries without facing prosecution, while being offered compounds based on specific offences.
He said a RM500 compound was imposed for offences related to entering or remaining in Malaysia without a valid pass, and for overstaying after a pass has expired, while a RM300 compound was imposed for breaching pass conditions.
In addition, applicants must pay a Special Pass fee of RM20 per issuance. Foreign children under 18 who have overstayed their visas or were brought into Malaysia without a valid pass are exempt from compounding but must still pay the Special Pass fee.
