1,400 personnel to track down illegals

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KOTA KINABALU: Illegal immigrants who remain in the country after January 1 next year will be tracked down and sent back to their home countries.

Immigration Department Director General Datuk Alias Ahmad said more than 1,400 enforcement personnel will be involved in tracking down illegal immigrants who ignored the amnesty for them to leave voluntarily without facing legal action.

“This amnesty is for those who stay in the country without any proper documents.

“If they wish to stay and work in the country, they should regularise their stay,” he said at a press conference after attending a technical group meeting between the Immigration Department of Malaysia and Brunei at Sutera Harbour Resort here yesterday.

Also present was Sabah Immigration Department Director Hj Mohammad Mentek.

Illegal immigrants could also take the option to return to their home countries voluntarily to avoid facing action, said Alias.

On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the 6P programme, namely registration, legalisation, amnesty, supervision, enforcement and deportation of foreign workers and illegal immigrants in the country.

The programme, which will start on July 1, would take about six months to complete, he said.