The Immigration Department of Malaysia will conduct a major operation at midnight to catch illegal immigrants as the E-Kad (enforcement card) registration deadline to end.

Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali made the announcement during an inspection on the final day of the registration at the department’s headquarters in Malaysia’s Putrajaya on Friday (June 30), reports The Star. 

“A huge crowd of employers and workers are rushing to register for the E-Kad at Immigration offices in the country,” said Mustafar.

He added that the department had announced in February that it had a target of 400,000 to 600,000 E-Kad registrations but had only registered 140,746 cards as of June.

“But only 23% of the target has been achieved so far despite giving more than enough opportunity for employers to register as illegal workers,” said Mustafar.

“There will be no extension after midnight and we will conduct nationwide operations to grab illegal immigrants," he added.

Mentioning that the Immigration Department did their best to facilitate applicants, he said “We have done our best but employers chose to be stubborn.”
 
The E-Kad system was launched on Feb 15 this year. it functions as a temporary confirmation of employment for illegal workers. The card is given for free to employees and is valid until Feb 15, 2018. 

BDST: 2055 HRS, JUNE 30, 2017
AP