KUALA LUMPUR – Illegal immigrants and those who hire or harbour them may soon face harsher punishment as the government moots amendments to the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau) said the ministry, between September 24 and 26, held meetings with the relevant agencies to look into the possibility of amending the act to give it more bite.
“It is our responsibility to review existing laws and regulations, as well as enforce them.
“In fact, the Home Ministry has discussed with the respective agencies, including local councils and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, on amending the Immigration Act.
“We will deliberate on and iron out all that was discussed so that we can turn them into law, in order for us to increase the punishment against illegal immigrants and the employers involved.”
He did not provide a timeline for when the amendments, if approved, would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat, or say what the changes would be.
Ismail was replying to a question from Che Alias Hamid (PAS-Kemaman) on whether the government intends to amend the law as part of its Holistic Plan on Enforcement Against Illegal Immigrants, which is in the midst of formulation.
Currently, those found to have illegally entered or stayed in the country face a fine of up to RM10,000, a maximum of five years’ imprisonment, or both, under the Immigration Act.
Employers who hire or harbour foreigners without a valid pass face a fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000, imprisonment of up to five years, and subject to not more than six strokes of the rotan, upon conviction. – The Vibes, November 18, 2020
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