MELAKA: The Home Ministry has collected about RM94mil in compounds under the Immigration Department's Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 (PRM 2.0), since it was launched on May 19 last year, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said participation in the programme is expected to increase during Ramadan up to Hari Raya Aidilfitri, as more undocumented migrants usually take the opportunity to return to their homelands during the festive period.
He said that from May 19, 2025 to this Tuesday (March 3), 187,858 migrants had taken part in the programme, generating RM94mil in compound payments.
"Under the normal procedure, these offences could result in detention and imprisonment.
"However, through PRM2.0, they only need to pay a RM500 compound and are allowed to return to their countries,” he said after attending a Ramadan event at the Home Ministry Complex in Ayer Keroh here on Thursday.
Saifuddin Nasution said the trend of higher participation during the festive season was normal as more undocumented migrants tend to come forward voluntarily during that period to regularise their exit from the country.
He added that RM65mil in compounds was collected last year alone through the same programme, due to foreign nationals who chose to return in an orderly manner.
Saifuddin Nasution noted that among the main offences resolved under the programme are overstaying under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and not possessing valid passes or travel documents under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act.
He said the programme involved nationals from a wide range of countries, with the highest numbers comprising those from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Thailand.
PRM 2.0 is a voluntary amnesty initiative that allows undocumented migrants to return to their home countries without facing prosecution.
The programme does not apply to individuals who registered under earlier repatriation initiatives but failed to leave the country, those who have been blacklisted by the department, or individuals wanted by the authorities.
