CYBERJAYA: Nearly RM140mil in compounds and fees have been collected from the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0, says Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.
The Immigration director-general said over 250,000 illegal foreigners opted into the programme to return to their home countries.
"As of July 15, we have recorded a total of 275,755 participants from 114 countries.
“We have also collected fees amounting to RM137,763,980," he told reporters after attending the 104th Immigration Day celebration on Tuesday (July 21).
Zakaria said relying solely on enforcement efforts to curb the problem of illegal foreigners will not work.
“If we rely solely on enforcement efforts, we will face issues of overcrowding at our depots.
"As such, we need such programs where those are allowed to surrender themselves willingly and we, in return, offer a reduced compound, and they are also allowed to return home the right way without the use of illegal routes,” he said.
The Migrant Repatriation Programme 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 blacklisted by the department, or individuals wanted by the authorities.
