Illegal immigrants in Malaysia

Illegal immigrants in Malaysia comprise a substantial portion of the Malaysian population, numbering as many as two million by some estimates. Most of them are from nearby Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines. Illegal migrants tend to take odd jobs unpalatable to the local populace, such as working in construction sites. Although their presence in Malaysia is against the law, the Malaysian government did not make a serious effort to deport illegal migrants until early 2005, when it was feared that displaced Indonesians affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami would swamp the country.

Demographics

As of 2005, it is estimated by the government that there are as many as 1.2 million illegal immigrants in Malaysia, a substantial number of them hailing from Indonesia, Malaysia's poorer neighbour. [ [http://in.news.yahoo.com/041229/137/2iqah.html "Malaysia extends amnesty for illegal immigrants"] . (Dec. 29, 2004). "Yahoo!".] However, a sizeable number are of Filipino, Han Chinese, Vietnam, Nepal or South Asian origin. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4224827.stm "Malaysia suspends migrant sweep"] . (Feb. 1, 2005). "BBC News".]

The government's estimate of 1.2 million illegal immigrants may be a conservative number, however. Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have placed the number of illegal immigrants in the state of Sabah alone in the realm of two million, comprising two-thirds of the state's population. Quek, Kim (Feb. 9, 2006). [http://www.malaysiakini.com/opinionsfeatures/46691 "Demographic implosion in Sabah? Really?"] . "Malaysiakini".]

2005 deportation

After the tsunami of 2004, the government announced plans to forcibly repatriate as many illegal immigrants as possible, with harsh punishments — including steep fines and heavy whippings — imposed on those who disobeyed or aided illegal immigrants in their efforts to remain in Malaysia. The original deadline set was February 1 2005; by this date, 400,000 had already left voluntarily. Due to the effectiveness of their efforts, the government announced they would not launch the crackdown as planned, delaying it to an undetermined date. [Fernandez, Clarence (Feb. 2, 2005). [http://www.ahrchk.net/ahrc-in-news/mainfile.php/2005ahrcinnews/282/ "Malaysia dons velvet glove in immigrant crackdown"] . "Reuters".]

Illegal citizenship

Although by virtue of their illegal status, illegal immigrants may not apply for Malaysian citizenship, some have attempted to procure it illegally by buying MyKads and passports on the black market. In Sabah, it was reported that 800,000 MyKads had been issued to people who eventually left the state. As Indonesians who have citizenship would be classified as Malay under Article 160 of the Constitution, it has been feared that thousands of illegal immigrants not only received privileges meant for Malaysian citizens, such as the right to vote, but also privileges meant for the Bumiputra, which include allocations of public shares, discounts on real estate, etc.

It has been claimed by opposition politician Jeffrey Kitingan that there are 1.7 million illegals in Sabah, of whom 600,000 have obtained MyKads. Kitingan has accused these illegals of exercising the right to vote, and also of falsely claiming Bumiputra status. [ [http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/newsncom.php?itemid=1408 600,000 of 1.7mil foreigners have M'sian ICs: Jeffrey] . (Dec. 19, 2006). "Malaysia Today".] There are allegations that there is some form of systematic granting of citizenship which is known as "Project IC", or "Project M".

On June 25, 2008 the Malaysian government has promised to expel tens of thousands of illegal immigrants, mainly Filipinos and Indonesians, who have become a major political irritant on Borneo island. A massive operation will begin soon to flush out foreigners without travel or identification documents from eastern Sabah state, which borders both the Philippines and Indonesia. [ [http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/ap/20080625/tap-as-gen-malaysia-illegal-immigrants-b3c65ae.html Malaysia threatens mass expulsion of illegal immigrants amid political dispute] . (June 25, 2008). "Associated Press".] Amid concerns of human rights violations, Amnesty International Malaysia said the immigrants include a large number of asylum seekers and refugees who had fled from the conflict-ridden Mindanao region in the southern Philippines to Malaysia's eastern Sabah. Many are stateless people and migrants who had lived in Sabah for more than a decade, including children who now risk being expelled. [ [http://www.mysinchew.com/node/13274?tid=4 Amnesty Warns Of Rights Violations In Malaysia's Plan To Expel Illegal Immigrants] . (June 27 2008). "Associated Press".]

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) said the government should not only flush out illegal immigrants but also those in detention centres and illegal immigrants in possession of Malaysian identity cards (ICs). Its Vice-President Datuk Dr Jeffery Kitingan said the operation should take into account the mostly Filipino refugees and the alleged "Project IC" holders. [ [http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/9324/84/ Expel Those With ICs, Too: Dr Jeffrey Kitingan ] . (June 28 2008). "Malaysia Today".]

Only RM450 for illegals to enter or leave

Kosmo! reported that illegal immigrants only need to pay RM450 to either get into, or out of, the country by boat. A reporter from Kosmo!, posing as an illegal immigrant for five days, discovered how easy it was for these people to get out of the country and also to penetrate the country’s border. The reporter had sailed to Indonesia and entered the country illegally without getting caught. He said he posed as an Indonesian without any passport, and was introduced to a middleman, a tekong (boat owner), who made all the necessary arrangements, and according to the middleman, boats sail twice a week, but the date and time are never fixed. The reporter was picked up by someone at the Klang bus station at 11pm and taken to a terrace house in Klang which was used as a transit house. He said there were about 30 illegal immigrants already gathered there including children, and all of them were not allowed to go out of the house. The came a man known as Yusno who spoke in the Indonesian dialect said that they would be leaving at 3am and those who wanted to buy food or drinks could place orders with him. At 3am, Yusno once again emerged and said the journey was postponed indefinitely, and 24 hours later, came back and ushered the group to climb into a lorry. The journey took about an hour, at the end of which the passengers were asked to walk down a small hill, cross a railway line, and were finally crammed into a boat meant to accommodate only 10 people. He said their cellphones were taken away and returned after the journey. The boat, registered to carry vegetables and fish, was stopped twice by the authorities but no checks were conducted. Finally, after 18 hours, the boat reached Tanjung Balai and there were no problems whatsoever with immigration checks in Indonesia. After three days in Medan, he was introduced to another agent who arranged for the trip back to Malaysia. He had to once again pay the same amount. The reporter said the only difference this time was that the passengers were placed in storage boxes for fish until they reached the Klang shore. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/1/nation/21700274&sec=nation]

abah illegal migrants used for election purpose

A Filipino migrant labor group leader in Malaysia said the State Government of Sabah allegedly uses "illegal migrants" like Filipinos for elections and seasonal work, and then chases them out when they are no longer needed. "For all intents and purposes, they are citizens of Sabah, but the government refuses to recognize them and give them their legal status" and "Some of them have been there for so long that they no longer have relatives in the Philippines and don't know how to speak Filipino dialects" [http://www.worldfutures.info/News-Features/Civilization/Sabah-illegal-migrants-used-for-election-purpose.html]

Notes and references