PUTRAJAYA: The government collected RM9,477,300 from the Migrant Repatriation Programme.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said up to March 21, 19,515 migrants had presented themselves to the Immigration Department to pay compounds.
Of the total, he said, 13,760 people had returned to their home country.
"There are three types of illegal immigrants — those who have overstayed, those who misuse their pass and those without documents.
"When we allow a period for repatriation, individuals must present themselves, pay the compound, then they can return.
"We won't take action against them under the Immigration Act and Passport Act, which could mean jail time," he said after a post-cabinet meeting press conference here today.
He said the government would monitor the situation, adding that the Migrant Repatriation Programme was an important initiative to manage undocumented migrants.
On Jan 31, Saifuddin said the government would implement the Migrant Repatriation Programme from March 1.
Previously, the government implemented the Workforce Recalibration Programme (WRP) 2.0, which concluded on Dec 31, allowing employers to apply for undocumented foreign workers to meet labour needs.
Under WRP 2.0, some 518,000 undocumented migrants were issued new work permits and channelled into the manufacturing, construction, farming, agriculture and services sectors.
In January, Saifuddin announced that employers had three months to complete the legalisation process for foreign workers under the WRP 2.0.