The Malaysian Immigration Department has announced that its Migrant Repatriation Programme counters will operate on Dec 21 and 28, the last two Saturdays of the month. This initiative aims to provide more undocumented migrants with the opportunity to register for the programme and return to their home countries.
Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban stated that the extended operations are expected to handle an additional 4,000 applications. As of Dec 12, a total of 216,471 undocumented migrants from 111 countries have registered for the programme, with 186,107 already repatriated. The countries with the highest number of repatriations include Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal.
Zakaria confirmed that all registered individuals have been given appointment dates and emphasized the department’s goal to complete the process by Dec 31. Previously, the programme’s counters operated only during regular office hours.
The Immigration Department is also considering extending the programme and increasing quotas in response to requests from foreign embassies. Zakaria highlighted that migrants participating in the voluntary repatriation programme are required to pay a fine of RM500 and secure a valid return ticket. Children born in Malaysia to undocumented migrants are also subject to the fine if accompanying their parents. Participants will be blacklisted from re-entering Malaysia as foreign workers or tourists.
Zakaria noted that many undocumented migrants opt for this programme to avoid facing legal consequences if detained during enforcement operations. Those caught during such operations face fines of up to RM3,000, making the voluntary programme a more appealing option.
One participant, Rahimah, a 46-year-old migrant from Indonesia, shared her story. She has lived in Malaysia for 12 years as a foreign worker and decided to join the programme to return to Jogjakarta with her children. Despite paying over RM12,000 to an agent for permits, she was scammed, leaving her children without the necessary documentation to attend school in Malaysia. Rahimah hopes to provide her children with an education upon returning to Indonesia.
The Migrant Repatriation Programme reflects Malaysia’s efforts to address the issue of undocumented migrants while offering them a legal and voluntary pathway to return home.