Home minister: Employers account for more than half of Malaysia’s RM91.8m immigration compound collections

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said employers accounted for 54.5 per cent of the RM91.78 million collected in immigration compounds between January and October 2026. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 1:00 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — More than half of the RM91.78 million collected in immigration compounds during the first 10 months of 2026 came from employers, as the government stressed that businesses hiring undocumented foreign workers must also face legal action.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said RM50.04 million, or 54.5 per cent of the total, was collected in compounds involving 2,459 employers between January 1 and October 31, according to Utusan Malaysia.

The remaining RM41.74 million involved 29,593 undocumented migrants, bringing the total number of individuals and employers involved in compoundable immigration offences to 32,052.

Saifuddin said the figures reflected the Immigration Department’s efforts to hold employers accountable rather than focusing enforcement solely on undocumented migrants.

“Immigration enforcement should not focus solely on taking action against undocumented migrants, but must also involve employers who hire foreign workers without complying with the prescribed regulations,” he said in a Facebook statement today.

He said employers were responsible for ensuring that foreign workers had valid documentation and work permits and complied with conditions imposed by the authorities.

Saifuddin also stressed that the amount collected in immigration compounds should not be treated as the sole measure of enforcement effectiveness.

He said tackling undocumented migration required sustained operations, inspections and monitoring, alongside action against employers who breached immigration laws.

The minister urged members of the public to report suspected immigration offences to the authorities rather than taking matters into their own hands.

Saifuddin thanked the Immigration Department’s director-general and personnel for their continued efforts, stressing that enforcement must remain firm, fair and guided by integrity to ensure compliance with immigration laws.