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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Malaysia has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants, detaining 37,313 undocumented migrants in the first nine months of this year following 10,374 enforcement operations across the country.
During the same period, authorities checked the immigration status of 137,603 individuals. The number of Bangladeshis among those detained was not immediately available in detail.
The crackdown has also targeted employers accused of hiring, sheltering or facilitating the illegal stay of undocumented migrants. A total of 1,809 employers were arrested, including 1,692 Malaysian citizens.
Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail disclosed the figures in a social media statement on Friday.
The minister said enforcement efforts were not focused solely on undocumented migrants. Action was also being taken against those who employ them, provide them with shelter or facilitate their illegal stay in the country.
According to Saifuddin, enforcement against employers involved in hiring or sheltering undocumented migrants has increased significantly in recent years. In 2023, 346 employers were arrested, rising to 1,859 in 2024 and 2,202 in 2025. In the first nine months of this year alone, 1,809 employers have been arrested.
Saifuddin said the crackdown on illegal immigration could not be limited to detaining foreign nationals. Those who hire, shelter or encourage the illegal stay of undocumented migrants must also face firm enforcement action.
He said the presence of undocumented migrants has been a longstanding issue in Malaysia, with various syndicates and irresponsible employers exploiting weaknesses and irregularities in past administrative systems, further complicating the situation.
The Home Ministry and the Immigration Department will continue conducting enforcement operations nationwide on a daily basis, he said, stressing that the operations would not depend on specific incidents or temporary public pressure.
“This is not a seasonal operation,” Saifuddin said, adding that enforcement would not be carried out only when a particular incident attracted public attention.
He said operations would continue to dismantle the broader network surrounding the abuse of Malaysia’s immigration system in the interest of protecting the country’s sovereignty and security.
Saifuddin also urged foreign nationals to enter Malaysia through legal channels and comply with the country’s immigration laws. He warned that action would be taken against those who enter illegally, use forged documents or overstay their authorised period.
At the same time, employers were warned against hiring or sheltering undocumented migrants for financial gain.