The Malaysian Immigration Department said it has barred citizens of various countries from entering the country again after they were found involved in various criminal activities and breaking immigration rules. This decision will affect job prospects of many Nepali migrant workers as many are on the blacklist and barred from entering Malaysia for allegedly misusing visa.

Immigration Department Director General Mustafar Ali said the department has blacklisted 63,000 foreign citizens in a span of 11 months from January this year. Foreigners blacklisted and deported from Malaysia will not be allowed to enter the country for a specific time, or until the department withdraws the ban, Ali said. Those on the blacklist, but have already received e-visa either from the Immigration Department or vendors would not be allowed to enter Malaysia, he clarified. There is no guarantee of foreigners who have received e-visas could immediately enter the country. If people on the blacklist attempt to enter Malaysia, they will be deported after serving them ‘Not to Land’ notice. The biggest challenge of Malaysia is to control corruption and to manage illegal migrant workers, he said. Meanwhile, Ali said from January up to now, 45,000 illegal immigrants had been arrested for various offences under the Immigration Act. Most on the blacklist are illegal migrant workers. Malaysia’ new government, installed this May, has vigorously enforced immigration rules. Earlier in September, Malaysia arrested four immigration officials for permitting people on the blacklist to enter the country. According to news reports, the guilty officials granted visas after accepting bribe money.

Published on: 4 December 2018 | The Kathmandu Post