PUTRAJAYA: Some 600,000 undocumented foreign workers can voluntarily return to their home country through the Migrant Repatriation Programme, where they will only be compounded and spared from prosecution.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the programme, which kickstarted today and ends on Dec 31, aimed to allow illegal foreigners to return home.
The 600,000 undocumented foreign workers, he said, could be those who were previously registered under the Workforce Recalibration Programme (WRP), which enabled employers to legalise their workers and given work permits in sectors, such as manufacturing and construction.
"This caters to undocumented foreign workers who decide they no longer want to work in Malaysia after WRP.
"The compounds are RM500 each for those who had entered Malaysia without valid passes and had overstayed, while those who had flouted the conditions of their passes will have to pay RM300.
"After settling the compounds, they will be able to fly home without being subjected to any immigration laws.
"We would not invoke immigration laws like opening investigation papers against them. They have 10 months to register for this, after which, they will be considered illegal and be subjected to enforcement," he said at the ministry headquarters today.
Up to 12pm today, 848 illegal foreigners had registered themselves for the programme, he added.
Saifuddin said the programme was under the supervision of the Immigration Department and does not involve any third party.
He said the department would not entertain anyone who wished to apply for the programme through third parties or agents.
