KUALA LUMPUR: Some 130,603 undocumented migrants registered to return voluntarily to their home countries under the Migrant Repatriation Programme last year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the figure was recorded between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2025.
He added that enforcement efforts during the same period resulted in 13,944 operations nationwide, during which 240,325 individuals were inspected.
“From that total, 51,100 foreign nationals were arrested for various immigration offences,” he said in a written Parliamentary reply on Wednesday (Feb 11).
Saifuddin Nasution, however, noted that the actual number of undocumented migrants in the country cannot be accurately determined as they fall outside the government’s official registration system.
As of Dec 31 last year, he said, 2,125,587 foreign nationals were registered under the Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) to work in approved formal sectors.
According to the minister, Bangladesh recorded the highest number of foreign workers in Malaysia at 798,973 (37.59%), followed by Indonesia with 551,337 (25.94%), Nepal with 323,601 (15.22%), Myanmar with 166,259 (7.82%) and India with 100,662 (4.74%).
He also said that 43,152,373 foreign visitors entered Malaysia through authorised international entry points throughout 2025.
Saifuddin Nasution was responding to Zahari Kechik (IND-Jeli), who asked about the total number of foreign nationals according to categories such as tourists, formal sector workers, undocumented migrants and refugees.
He also asked about the steps taken to address businesses that appeared to be controlled by foreign workers.
In response, the minister said the Immigration Department conducts operations in collaboration with local authorities, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, the Companies Commission of Malaysia, and other enforcement agencies.
“This is to ensure all business licences are complied with, and that businesses operated by foreign nationals are regulated in accordance with existing laws,” he said.
