Illegal immigrants: Keep Tabs on RELA and Employers

RELA officers have been actively involved in helping the Immigration authorities detain illegal immigrants. Unfortunately, there have been many complaints of RELA officers abusing their powers during this raid even to the extent of tearing up valid passports and stealing the possessions of the hapless foreigners. This has even been reported by tourists who have entered Malaysia with all the necessary documentation. While these allegations have been denied by the RELA authorities, one tends to wonder why the complaints keep flowing in. It is about time a thorough investigation is made into the matter instead of sweeping the matter under the carpet.
Then there are the cases of employers who are employing illegal immigrants. One hears from the local and international press, that the illegal workers are detained and even deported. The question that baffles me is why the employers are then allowed to carry on their business after paying a fine. Obviously this is not sufficient deterrent to the employers as many of them resume employing illegal immigrants; that includes the deported ones who were previously in their employ.

It is as if the authorities want to perpetuate the cycle of detain-deport-detain because some people tend to benefit from it. I would suggest that the employers’ business license be revoked if the authorities concerned mean business. In order to do this there has to be close work between the relevant government agencies i.e. the Immigration, Human Resources Ministry and the Police .Somehow I don’t see RELA in the picture..

By catherina cherian, on 18-04-2008 09:43