PETALING JAYA: Over 10,000 enforcement operations against illegal immigrants have been conducted nationwide since January, the Home Ministry says.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was proof that the ministry, through the Immigration Department, is taking firm action on the issue.
The issue of undocumented migrants is a long-standing problem that has plagued the country as a result of loopholes and leakages in the administrative system of the past.
Existing gaps and weaknesses have been exploited by illegal syndicates and irresponsible local employers, creating serious social, economic and security threats to Malaysians.
"In my view, this problem, which has persisted for so long, can no longer be allowed to become a burden passed on to the next generation," Saifuddin said in a statement on Saturday (Oct 3).
According to ministry statistics, the Immigration Department conducted a total of 10,374 operations between Jan 1 and Sept 29 nationwide.
From those operations, the department arrested 37,313 illegal immigrants, alongside an additional 1,809 employers found employing and protecting illegal immigrants.
"The increase in employer arrests compared with previous years, which were from 346 employers in 2023 to 1,859 in 2024, 2,202 employers in 2025, and 1,809 as of September 2026 alone, demonstrates that our approach is clear," he said.
"Enforcement cannot focus solely on undocumented migrants, but must also reach those who employ, protect and take advantage of their presence," he added.
"As Home Minister, my position is clear. We can no longer merely remain on the defensive or act only when an issue arises," Saifuddin said.
"That is why this enforcement is not seasonal and is not carried out only when an issue attracts public attention. Regardless of who they are or what their position may be, the ministry and the Immigration Department will continue to break this chain of abuse in order to safeguard the sovereignty and security of the country," he said.
He added that while Malaysia welcomed foreign nationals to seek employment here, they must do so according to the law and through legitimate channels.
He also warned that employers found employing illegal immigrants were fuelling "this crisis" and that their actions affected national security.
"There will be no more room to hide from legal action," he said.
