SEPANG: Companies in industrial sectors found to be employing and protecting illegal foreign workers could have their assets frozen beginning October.
Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said the department viewed the practice as a serious offence, as the number of illegal workers in the country has been a growing concern.
He said there were current laws under the department which allows authorities to charge offenders. There are also provisions under Section 56 (1) of the Immigration Department to freeze assets and bank accounts of offenders.
"However, these laws are not fully enforced due to employers’ lack of awareness.
"They might get shocked when we enforce this come October. But this is not a new thing. We are just enforcing what has been in place," he said.
Mustafar hoped that the media could relay the message to corporations so that they will be informed of the consequences of their actions.
"We are currently discussing this enforcement with legal advisers," he added.
On a separate matter, Mustafar said discussions will be held with the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and Malaysian Insolvency Department to solve issues involving Malaysians placed on travel blacklists based on their problematic financial records.
"We would like to suggest the establishment of a help desk for all these agencies at the airport when blacklisted travellers are halted from leaving the country.
"The department is only a gatekeeper. We do not possess any authority or expertise to solve their issues.
"Through this, we hope amicable solutions can be reached and the public's travel plans would not be disrupted," he added.