KUALA LUMPUR: Strict enforcement action will be taken against Malaysians who act as enablers for foreigners committing offences in the country, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“This includes action against individuals operating businesses without licences or permission from the local authorities, as well as land or premises owners who allow such activities to take place,” the Deputy Prime Minister said in a written parliamentary reply on Wednesday (Nov 4).
He was responding to Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi), who asked how many Rohingya had entered Langkawi illegally from 2021 to date, and what measures were being taken to curb illegal entry and human trafficking operations that use the island as a destination.
Ahmad Zahid added that the National Security Council (NSC) had issued Movement Directive No. 1/2022 on the deportation of illegal immigrants attempting to enter Malaysian waters and cross the country's land borders.
He said the directive was aimed at coordinating security forces' surveillance, monitoring and deportation operations, including those involving illegal immigrants entering Langkawi.
“The country's current border control approach is not limited to the construction of walls and fences, but also involves the use of modern technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), drones and smart surveillance systems,” he said.
On the long-standing settlement issue in Bukit Malut, Langkawi, Ahmad Zahid said the NSC had been instructed to study and coordinate proposals for the redevelopment of the squatter settlement following a Special Meeting on the Development of Kedah chaired by the Prime Minister on May 4, 2024.
He said the NSC had since held 10 meetings and discussions with Federal and state government agencies to coordinate the matter, and was exploring several options to obtain the agreement of stakeholders.
“A demographic survey conducted by the NSC in September 2024 found that 92.2% of the 4,584 residents in Bukit Malut were Malaysians, while the remainder were non-citizens,” he said.
On enforcement, Ahmad Zahid said the police had conducted 267 operations in the area since 2022.
He added that enforcement involving security, drugs, immigration and maritime security in Langkawi had continued throughout 2026, with no significant offences involving the Bukit Malut community recorded by the Langkawi district police headquarters.
He was responding to Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar), who asked about the specific measures taken by the NSC to address the settlement issue in Bukit Malut, including the verification of residents' status, enforcement and proposed resettlement.
