The Immigration Department will conduct more strategic enforcement at foreigner-concentrated areas this year, focusing on community concerns and officer integrity.
PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department will intensify enforcement operations at locations with high concentrations of foreigners throughout 2026.
Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said operations must become more strategic and move beyond routine checks at factories or construction sites.
He stated that intensified action is necessary due to public sentiment regarding the prevalence of illegal immigrants in the country.
“The public perception is that many foreigners dominate economic activities and are focused in certain areas,” he said during the department’s 2026 New Year address.
Zakaria emphasised the need to target sectors and locations that are more troubling to local communities.
He also highlighted the critical need to strengthen the integrity of immigration officers as a key focus area.
“The issue of integrity cannot be compromised and JIM does not want it to happen like other agencies,” he warned.
He instructed the JIM Integrity Division to implement more effective programmes to fortify officer conduct.
Another priority is the empowerment of artificial intelligence and digitalisation across immigration services.
Zakaria separately stressed the importance of human values within the department to ensure excellent public service.
“Human values must be present in JIM members so that they can deliver services to the people well,” he added.
