The Home Ministry will not slow immigration enforcement operations against foreigners who breach the Immigration Act 1959/63, despite the country’s 19 immigration detention depots operating beyond capacity.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said enforcement efforts must continue as they are essential to safeguarding national security and sovereignty, while ensuring foreigners in Malaysia comply with the law.
“Malaysia is an open country. Foreigners are welcome to come here, even to earn a living, but they must abide by our laws.
“They must not enter without valid documents, overstay their visas, or misuse their passes. If we find them in breach of the law, we have the authority to detain them.
“Lokman (Immigration Deputy Director-General [Operations] Lokman Effendi Ramli) cannot reduce the momentum of enforcement raids because this is a matter of national security and sovereignty,” he said at the ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya today.
Saifuddin acknowledged that overcrowding at immigration detention depots had drawn criticism from various quarters, including NGOs, particularly over humanitarian concerns.
However, he stressed that the government must balance enforcement with safeguarding detainees’ welfare.
Sharing the outcome of a recent bilateral meeting between Malaysia and Indonesia, Saifuddin said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s role in providing employment opportunities to Indonesian nationals.
However, he said Prabowo also acknowledged that Malaysia was justified in taking legal action against any Indonesian citizen who violated Malaysian laws.
“He (Prabowo) stressed that if Indonesian citizens breach Malaysia’s domestic laws, then the Malaysian government should take action in accordance with the country’s laws,” Saifuddin said.
- Bernama
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