KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 — It is now compulsory for all foreign tourists to have a return ticket when visiting Malaysia, as Putrajaya clamps down on the influx of illegal immigrants, deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said yesterday.
He told the Senate that the move was to make sure no tourist overstays in the country.
"We also advise them to have sufficient money for themselves throughout their stay here," he was quoted as saying by Malay daily Sinar Harian.
Wan Junaidi noted that the marine police, navy and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) are at the same time keeping close watch over stretches of coastline which have been identified as entry points for illegal immigrants.
The police are also working with the Anti Smuggling Unit (UPP) and the General Operations Force (GOF) to deal with human trafficking activities over land, he added.
Wan Junaidi said a multi-agency centralised enforcement team (CET) — which includes the Immigration Department, local authorities and the Rela volunteer corp — has to date carried out 171 operations.
Of the 1,114 foreigners inspected in the operations, 305 of them, along with 23 employers, were arrested for various immigration offences.
"I must stress that the issue of the influx of foreigners is not the responsibility of just one party, but requires various agencies and the rakyat to not give protection, rent out premises and possessions to the Pati," he said, using a Malay acronym for illegal immigrants.
Wan Junaidi also warned against employers hiring illegal immigrants.
