PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department has collected RM91.78mil in compounds involving 32,052 individuals for offences under immigration laws from Jan 1 to Oct 31 this year.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said of the total, RM50.04mil involved 2,459 employers, while the remaining RM41.74mil involved 29,593 undocumented migrants.
He said the figures showed that immigration enforcement was not solely focused on undocumented migrants, but also involved action against employers who violated regulations governing the employment of foreign workers.
"This means that 54.5% of the total compound amount collected involved employers.
"This figure is important because immigration enforcement should not be viewed solely through action against undocumented migrants, but also through action against those who violate regulations governing the employment of foreign workers," he said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Nov 7).
Saifuddin Nasution said the presence of foreigners staying or working in the country without valid documents remained a concern among members of the public, not only in terms of compliance with immigration laws but also the management of foreign nationals, as well as public safety and order.
He said such concerns deserved attention, but the public also needed to understand that efforts to address the issue involved various forms of enforcement action, including action against employers who committed immigration offences.
"Of course, the amount of compounds collected is not the only measure of enforcement effectiveness, let alone a comprehensive solution to the issue of undocumented migrants. However, it is one of the indicators that action against violations of the law continues to be taken," he said.
He added that addressing the issue of undocumented migrants required public cooperation, including providing the authorities with information on activities suspected of violating immigration regulations.
He also stressed that public cooperation must operate within a clear legal framework, while enforcement action could only be carried out by agencies empowered to do so under the law.
"Both principles must go hand in hand. Public concerns must be given due attention and appropriate action taken, while all enforcement measures must be carried out lawfully, professionally and responsibly," he said. – Bernama
