300 to 400 illegals expected to take up ‘Back for Good’ offer

The B4G programme is being offered to those who are not being detained at immigration depots to return home.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department expects an initial 300 to 400 illegal immigrants to take up the opportunity to return to their countries of origin through the Back for Good (B4G) programme.

The programme aims to reduce the number of illegal immigrants detained at immigration depots across the country.

Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said there are 14 depots nationwide that can accommodate about 10,500 illegal immigrants.

He said, however, the number of illegal immigrants at these depots could reach up to 11,000 and this could put them at risk.

“Among the risks are the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis brought by them from their home countries,” he told Bernama.

Khairul Dzaimee said the B4G programme was being offered to illegal immigrants who were not detained and not those being held at the depots.

“This is because the illegal immigrants at detention depots are serving their sentences and will be sent home to their home countries,” he said.

On July 18, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced the implementation of the B4G programme from Aug 1 to Dec 31 to reduce the number of illegal immigrants.

Those taking part in the programme will only need to obtain identification documents from their respective embassies or high commissions for processing by the immigration office.

They also need to pay a compound fine of RM700 and produce the flight tickets for them to return home. - FMT