Play store
Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Malaysian authorities arrested 159,232 undocumented foreign nationals in immigration enforcement operations over approximately 20 months, from 2025 through August 2026, as the government continued its crackdown on immigration violations.
During the period, the Immigration Department conducted 53,318 operations nationwide and screened 659,191 individuals. Action was also taken against 6,099 employers over alleged immigration-related offences.
The figures were disclosed by the Home Ministry in a written parliamentary reply on Friday, October 16.
According to the ministry, those arrested were suspected of violating the Immigration Act 1959/63 and related regulations. The alleged offences included entering or remaining in Malaysia without valid visit passes or work permits, as well as overstaying beyond authorised periods.
In a separate disclosure, the ministry confirmed that authorities had detected one case involving the falsification of documents issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuala Lumpur. Citing police records, it said six foreign nationals had been arrested in connection with the case and charged in court.
The ministry said the government would introduce a Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme to strengthen the registration and management of people claiming refugee status.
Under the proposed system, the government will establish its own registration mechanism to record applicants, verify their identities, conduct security screenings and assess their eligibility for recognition as refugees.
The process will include identity checks, biometric data collection, security screening and interviews with applicants, according to the ministry.
It also clarified that possession of a UNHCR card would not automatically qualify an individual for registration under the DPP programme. Each applicant would have to undergo the government’s own verification and assessment process.
The ministry said the new mechanism was intended to improve the accuracy and management of refugee records. Identity checks and biometric data would also help authorities identify inconsistencies, identity misuse and suspected forged documents.
The information was provided in response to a parliamentary question by Datuk Rosol Wahid, a Perikatan Nasional MP for Hulu Terengganu, who sought details about cases involving forged UNHCR documents, action taken against those responsible and the number of foreign nationals arrested.
The disclosures come as Malaysia continues to enforce immigration laws while developing a government-led mechanism for registering and assessing people claiming refugee status.