a state program that allows them to return home in Malaysia after violating immigration laws has benefited about 27, 000 international citizens who are currently facing fines.
The program, called the Migrant Repatriation Programme, started on Mar 1 and is scheduled to end on Dec 31.
Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff, director of the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department, reported to local media on Monday ( Dec 9 ) that those who have applied for the return to their home nations through the program have already paid RM13.12 million ( US$ 2.96 million ) in fines.
” We process more than 350 uses daily”, he was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
Depending on the nature of their crime, those who wish to return home through the program will have to spend a great of between RM300 and RM500, according to the Immigration Department.
This might include requesting a different country’s immigration requirements or overstaying it.
Pale Mohammed, the immigration official, added that local media required the applicants to provide current travel documents and airline tickets. They may even demand their respective embassies for advice.
He warned that no providers or third parties have the authority to tackle applications for the Immigration Department.
Yogendra, a Nepalese worker, received a chance to keep Malaysia after two years of employment there.
” I have a card, but it just expired. But, I came here first and just needed to pay a RM500 good. This is a secure way for me to return home without worry of detention”, the 26-year-old was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
Zainuddin, an Indonesian employee, traveled from Johor to Terengganu with a friend to apply for the relocation program that in order to avoid long lines at the Immigration Department headquarters in larger towns.
” We were promised grants, but our firm kept delaying”, said the 37-year-old, who had worked on hand oil estates since June 2022 without proper work permits.
The World Bank estimates that there were 1.2 to 3.5 million undocumented migrants in Malaysia between 2018 and 2020, generally those who hail from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
However, the number of documented workers during the same time were around 1.4 to 2 million.
Most migrant workers in Malaysia function in labour-intensive areas such as development, agriculture and manufacturing as well as activities considered to be ugly, dangerous or degrading, better known as 3D work.