KUALA LUMPUR, 30 June 2017:
The Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) has appealed to the government for an extension for the E-Kad registration until 15 Feb 2018 to coincide with the closing date of the rehiring programme.
The association said it would seek the assistance of the Immigration Department of Malaysia to resolve issues pertaining to problems and delays in registering for the E-Kad.
“We hope the government will consider to simplify the registration procedure to encourage more employers to come forth to register their illegal workers.
“In fact, MBAM strongly recommends that the government do not collect the RM600 upfront charges as agreed earlier for the rehiring programme during the E-Kad registration as it would impact the registration process,” it said in a statement.
The registration for the E-Kad ends today and as at midnight, the Immigration enforcement authorities are to launch a large-scale operation to flush out illegal immigrants in the country, following the passing of the deadline to register for the Enforcement Card or E-Kad.
As of this morning, a total of 155,680 illegal immigrants working for 26,957 employers had applied for the E-Kad and 140,746 of the cards were issued. This is only 23% of the 600,000 cards targeted by the Immigration Department.
Director-general of Immigration Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali is not amused. In fact, he is disappointed with the attitude of the employers. The registration exercise was launched on Feb 15 this year.
“I emphasised many times that the deadline for registration is midnight tonight, and the deadline will not be extended.”
After the deadline passes, he said the department would arrest illegal immigrants and prosecute their employers under sections 56(1) and 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/1963, including those employing immigrants with student passes.
– Bernama