PETALING JAYA: A total of 159,232 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested for various immigration offences from last year until August this year, says the Home Ministry.
It said the Immigration Department carried out 53,318 operations nationwide and screened 659,191 people.
"The arrests were for various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and related regulations," it said in a written parliamentary reply on Friday (Oct 16).
The offences ranged from lacking legitimate visit passes or permits to overstaying, it added.
ALSO READ: Dewan Rakyat debate heats up over migrant refugee issue
It also said that action was taken against 6,099 employers during this period.
On another matter, it said one case of falsifying United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) documentation has been detected.
Referencing police records, it said the case was in Kuala Lumpur.
Six foreign nationals were arrested and charged in court.
To strengthen the management of those claiming to be refugees, the ministry said it will implement the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme.
ALSO READ: Refugee Registration Document only for those who entered Malaysia before January 2023
"This allows the government to manage its own registration system. It will comprise a comprehensive registration and screening process alongside determining the individual’s redugee status.
"The process will comprise identity verification, biometric records, security screenings and interviews with the individual," it said.
The ministry also said UNHCR card holders will not automatically be eligible for the DPP.
"The DPP mechanism allows the government to determine whether said individuals qualify as refugees while also allowing better records management.
"Identity verification and biometric data records further allow us to detect conflicting information, identity misuse and the use of suspected falsified documents," it said.
Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) had asked about cases of falsified UNHCR documents and the action taken in such cases.
He also wanted to know the number of foreign nationals arrested.
