Two-month-old infant Farhan yawns as his mother carries him before departing for Indonesia at Subang Airport outside Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia yesterday deported nearly 500 undocumented Indonesian workers in what analysts said was part of a push to clamp down on illegal labour. — AFP photo
State Immigration chief says illegal immigrants have 8 more days to leave S’wak under amnesty policy
KUCHING: Illegal immigrants have eight more days to come forward and make voluntary exit before facing the full brunt of the state Immigration Department.
The poor response to the government’s amnesty policy, with fewer than 200 illegal immigrants coming forward so far in the state, has triggered the state Immigration Department to issue a stern warning.
Its director Datu Robert Lian warned of a non-negotiable crackdown come 2015, whereby any illegal immigrant caught would be charged in court to face both a jail sentence and fine.
He told The Borneo Post that as of yesterday, only 168 illegal immigrants had come forth and taken opportunity of the government’s amnesty policy which came into force on Aug 1 and will end on Dec 31 this year.
“There are still eight days to go for the government amnesty policy which allows voluntary self exit by illegal immigrants. Come 2015, we will prosecute in court for sentencing – jail plus fine. There has been enough notice given.
“The whole crackdown exercise in 2015 will be good experience and training for officers in arresting, charging, prosecuting, jailing and repatriating the offenders,” Lian said.
As the government had no tolerance for illegal immigrants, those arrested would be blacklisted and not allowed to re-enter the state.
“Those arrested and charged will not be allowed to enter Sarawak in the future,” said Lian.
This amnesty policy which is similar to the 6P programme initiated by the federal government last year allows illegal immigrants in Sarawak to turn themselves in voluntarily. In doing so, they need to pay for their passage home, RM300 as compound, RM100 for special pass and arrange for their own travel documents (for those who do not have passports, they would have to go to their consulate to obtain one).
Lian had in his previous statement explained that illegal immigrants could be convicted under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155).
Section 6(1)(c) is for offence of entering this country without valid pass while Section 15(1)(c) is for offence of remaining in the state after the expiration of the period of any pass relating to or issued to them.
Meanwhile, Bernama quoted Malaysia Immigration Department deputy director-general (Control) Datuk Sakib Kusmi as saying in Petaling Jaya yesterday that this year, the Immigration Department conducted 5,376 operations nationwide and checked 94,909 foreigners from various countries.
From the total, 29,758 Indonesians were detained for various offences including having expired permit, no valid travel documents and overstaying.
On when the 29,758 Indonesian illegal immigrants would be sent home, Sakib said the sending home of those held for criminal offences would take longer to process.
“We hope to repatriate all Indonesian detainees before the end of the year except for those involved in criminal cases,” he said.
Bernama also reported Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia, Herman Prayitno, as saying the repatriation of the illegals was the result of a meeting between Indonesian Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri and Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently.
He said all repatriation costs would be borne by the Indonesian government.
When asked whether the illegals would be fined or face punishment in Indonesia, Herman said there would be no punishment but they would be issued advice and warning upon arrival in Indonesia.