Ahmad Zahid said the government viewed the issue of illegal immigrants seriously since their presence may increase crime, drugs, prostitution and other illicit activities that may cause a threat to the country’s security.
“Since the start of the Ramadan month, 120 illegal immigrants were detained throughout the country for carrying out businesses without licence, no work permit and valid travel documents.
“The immigration department will continue to carry out raids to weed out illegal immigrants throughout the country,” he said after breaking fast with immigration officers at the Immigration headquarters, here, Monday night.
Also present were Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Immigration Director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad.
He added that operations to net illegal immigrants would be carried out at Ramadan bazaars, plantations, factories and construction sites.
Ahmad Zahid said through the 6P programme, 1.3 million illegal immigrants were registered and from that total the application of 500,000 had been processed while 330,000 had decided to return home.
The application of the balance is in the process, he said.
– BERNAMA
