Total of RM9.4mn collected from Malaysia's Migrant Repatriation Programme: Minister Saifuddin

From 1 March to 21 March 2024, as many as 19,515 PATI have been registered and as many as 13,760 PATI have returned to their country of origin, Home Affairs Minister YB Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail said.

The Malaysian government has collected a total of RM9.4mn from the Migrant Repatriation Programme, through compound bids and Special Pass payments. 

According to a Facebook post by Home Affairs Minister YB Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail, from March 1 to March 21 2024, "as many as 19,515 PATI (pendatang asing tanpa izin) have [been] registered, and as many as 13,760 PATI have returned to their country of origin." 

According to an NST article, this initiative was introduced following the Workforce Recalibration Programme 2.0, which concluded on 31 December, wherein employers were allowed to apply for the employment of undocumented foreign workers to meet labour needs.

Under the programme, as elaborated by NST, about 518,000 undocumented migrants were issued new work permits to work in the manufacturing, construction, farming, agriculture and services sectors.

In January this year, YB Datuk Seri Saifuddin announced that employers had three months to complete the legalisation process for foreign workers under the WRP 2.0.

He was quoted in the article as saying: "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". 

The minister added that the government will continue to monitor the situation adding that the repatriation programme acts as an important initiative to manage migrants who do not possess the required documentation. 

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Lead image / YB Datuk Seri Saifuddin Facebook