Home minister: Cabinet orders immediate crackdown on foreigners conducting business on social visit passes

PUTRAJAYA, June 8 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Cabinet has directed enforcement agencies to take immediate action against foreign nationals found conducting business activities while holding social visit passes.

Saifuddin Nasution said all relevant agencies, including the Home Ministry, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, had been instructed to intensify enforcement efforts without delay.

“Generally, international laws and practices provide that individuals entering a country on a social visit pass are not permitted to work or engage in business activities. Malaysia adheres to the same principle.

“The prime minister raised the matter following complaints he received directly from members of the public,” he told reporters at a press conference after the ministry’s monthly assembly here today.

Saifuddin Nasution said enforcement action had already been carried out in several locations, including operations on Sabah’s east coast.

He said recent complaints centred on foreign nationals allegedly operating businesses in parts of the Klang Valley despite entering the country on social visit passes.

Saifuddin Nasution said immigration-related offences would be dealt with under the Immigration Act, while issues involving business licences and commercial premises would fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities.

When asked about the formation of a new task force to address the issue, he said there were already sufficient laws, legal provisions and enforcement agencies in place.

“There are already laws in place, suitable legal provisions and existing enforcement agencies. What is needed now is action, not another task force,” he said.

The minister added that local business groups had repeatedly raised concerns about unfair competition from foreign nationals allegedly operating businesses illegally while avoiding taxes and regulatory requirements imposed on local traders.

He said enforcement was a continuous responsibility for the ministry.

“We have mapped hotspot areas identified as locations with a high concentration of foreign nationals.

“If an individual enters the country without documentation, overstays the permitted duration, or misuses the pass granted to them, action can be taken under the Immigration Act,” he said.