Mustafar Ali: No compromise in going after errant employers

BAYAN LEPAS: The Immigration Department have detained 14,000 illegal foreign workers, who have failed to register for Enforcement Cards (E-Cards), in a nationwide operation known as Ops Mega since Jul 1.
According to Immigration Department Director-General Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali, as of yesterday (Sept 22), the enforcers had detained 302 employers and 100 out of the total had been brought to court for legal action.
Mustafar admitted that there were still many illegal foreign workers and employers had failed to follow the rules of the department in order to register for E-Cards.
"We have failed on our target to register between 400,000 and 600,000 illegal workers throughout the E-Card programme which ended on Jun 30.
"We have only recorded about 104,000 illegal foreign workers via the E-Card programme while a total of 1.86 million foreign workers had obtained their permit last year and 1.7 million had applied for their permit this year.
"To date, we have deported about 38,000 foreign workers," he told reporters at a press conference at Penang International Airport here today (Sept 23).
Mustafar stressed the Immigration Department would not compromise with errant employers stating that the authorities will not hesitate to take legal action against them including freezing their assets and bank accounts.
"The companies should assist their foreign workers to obtain the E-Cards if they need them until the end of this year.
"Illegal foreign workers who voluntarily come to us, they will be fined RM400. However, those, who are caught by our enforcers will be facing a high penalty," he said.
On another issue, Mustafar said the Immigration Department will ensure more than nine out of 12 counters will be operating at the Penang International Airport until the end of the year to accomodate an expected 7 million plus domestic and international airport users.
When asked to comment on the ‘White Party BKK Warm Up' gay party expected to be held at the Rooftop GTower in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 30, Mustafar said the department would strengthen its control at all 137 airport entrances in the country.
"Based on the information of police and the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the existing system can identify the participants of the party and we can directly expel them out from our country," he said.