Over 275,000 foreign nationals from 114 countries join the repatriation programme, generating RM137.76 million for the government.
CYBERJAYA: A total of 275,755 foreign nationals from 114 countries have joined the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 as of July 15, generating more than RM137.76 million in government revenue.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said most participants had returned to their countries of origin through the voluntary programme, which offers an alternative to arrest and detention.
“If we rely solely on enforcement, we will face capacity issues at our detention centres.
“That is why we still need programmes where they voluntarily surrender.
“We offer them a lower compound so they can participate voluntarily and return legally, without having to use illegal routes,” he said after the 104th Immigration Day celebration here today.
The programme was first introduced in 2024 and entered its second phase this year.
Zakaria said the department had also conducted 7,105 enforcement operations nationwide between Jan 1 and July 15 after designating 2026 as a year of intensified enforcement.
The operations resulted in the detention of 41,596 foreign nationals for various offences, while action was taken against 1,127 employers accused of harbouring or employing foreigners without valid permits or passes.
“This shows that we will no longer compromise on the misuse of Immigration regulations and laws.
“We will further intensify operations and enforcement against those who violate or misuse Immigration documents,” he said.
Zakaria also said 451 people were arrested for abusing social visit passes as of July 15 this year.
Similar offences resulted in 1,279 arrests in 2023, followed by 2,644 in 2024 and 2,630 last year.
“They entered using social visit passes or tourist passes but came here to work or conduct economic activities.
“This is an offence under the Immigration Act. We will continue pursuing those who repeatedly commit offences involving the misuse of these passes,” he said.
Zakaria added that the cases involved citizens of various countries and were not dominated by any particular nationality.
“There are also many from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar. The cases involve people from all countries.
“There is no dominant nationality,” he said.
Meanwhile, Immigration issued or approved 63,475 copies of the new Malaysian international passport between July 1 and July 17.
Zakaria said the nationwide rollout had entered its third phase, with several additional passport offices beginning to issue the new version.
The passport contains enhanced security features and is being introduced progressively across all states.
Earlier, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in his speech that more than 130,000 arrests were made for various Immigration offences throughout 2025 and up to June this year.
He added that more than 92,000 foreign nationals were repatriated to their countries of origin during the same period.
Also present to launch the event were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman, and other senior ministry and enforcement officials.
