JOHOR BARU: Overstaying immigrants in Johor, particularly those from Indonesia, often choose clandestine routes to return to their home country.
Indonesia’s Consul General in Johor Baru, Taufiqur Rijal, said these immigrants arrived in Malaysia through legal means, but some would overstay and violate their social visit passes.
He said repeated warnings and reminders had been issued to Indonesians to enter and leave though proper channels, but the advice usually fell on deaf ears.
“It is common to see Indonesians arriving in Johor by legal routes. But problems arise when they overstay and are not willing to come forward to solve their predicament.
“That is why many end up going through illegal means to leave Malaysia,” said Taufiqur.
He said this was unfortunate because many Indonesian immigrants lost their lives when they left the country through illegal routes, often on unsafe boats.
He said this was what happened on Jan 25, two weeks before Chinese New Year, when 23 illegal Indonesian immigrants drowned after their boat capsized off the coast of Pantai Sungai Tengah, Bandar Penawar, Kota Tinggi.
Police believe that more people were still missing as the boat, which left from Batam, was likely carrying between 35 and 40 people.
On the same day and not too far from the site of the boat tragedy, 30 other illegal Indonesian immigrants were luckier as they were caught by an enforcement team while waiting for a boat to leave the country.
Sources say an illegal immigrant is normally asked to pay between RM2,000 and RM3,000 to enter Malaysia and the amount could be earned in two to three months.
“A salary of RM700 a month is equivalent to two million rupiah, which is almost the average salary of a civil servant (in Indonesia),” said a source.
“Those who are here will tell their relatives and friends back home of the good life here. This drives their relatives back home to risk their lives to get here.”
The source said many were aware of the consequences and risk of travelling here through illegal routes, but they were willing to go through it for a better future.
Kota Tinggi police chief Superintendent Rahmat Othman said it was common for illegal immigrants to head back home using “rat lanes” during the months leading up to festive seasons.