KUALA LUMPUR – Foreigners, including Chinese nationals, who are involved in criminal activities and convicted here will be declared persona non grata, said Immigration Department director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud.
He said the foreigners would be listed as persona non grata after being sentenced, and would then be deported.
“After they have undergone prison terms for criminal offences, they will all be deported and listed as immigrants banned from entering Malaysia.
“That is for all foreigners who commit offences under the Immigration Act (1959) regardless of the type of pass they have,” he said.
Persona non grata are people who cannot be accepted by a country forever after being found guilty of committing a serious and unforgivable offence while in that country.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said declaring foreigners as persona non grata is an effective way to curb crime, especially with Macau scam syndicates.
“Macau scam syndicates in this country are becoming more widespread, with many victims being deceived by Chinese nationals, involving the loss of millions of ringgit.
“I had a discussion with Khairul on this matter recently. The power to declare a person persona non grata lies with the Immigration Department,” he said.
Abdul Hamid said Chinese nationals were most frightened of being blacklisted from entering Malaysia because not only would they be unable to set up crime syndicates, they would also face severe punishments in their home country. – Bernama, December 13, 2020