2.08mil, not 5.5mil foreigners with temporary work passes

Home Ministry says they are employed in construction, manufacturing, services, plantation and agriculture, and in the domestic help sector.

KUALA LUMPUR: Claims that the number of foreigners working in the country has reached 5.5 million are untrue.

The Home Ministry told the Dewan Rakyat today that based on Immigration Department records as of January 31 this year, there are 2.08 million foreign workers holding valid Temporary Work Pass.

“They are employed in five formal sectors – construction, manufacturing, services, plantation and agriculture, and in one informal sector – domestic help,” it said in response to Fauzi Abdul Rahman (PKR-Indera Mahkota).

Fauzi also wanted the figure breakdown of foreign workers in the country according to state, nationality and gender.

The ministry said in the written reply that as of January 31, Indonesian workers constituted the highest number at 819,773; followed by Nepalese (483,908); Bangladeshi (272,036); Myanmarese (143,623); and Indians (135,921).

– BERNAMA