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THE issuance of entry permits to foreign nationals does not jeopardise the interests of Malaysians, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said, emphasising that approvals are granted solely to qualified individuals who meet stringent criteria under immigration laws.
Speaking during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, Saifuddin explained that entry permit applications are assessed under the Immigration Order 1963 Schedule, targeting individuals with professional qualifications or specialised expertise while ensuring local talent and manpower remain unaffected.
“So, with their presence through the entry permit mechanism, their professional expertise provides added value, and local talent can learn from their skills.
“Their entry does not undermine local talent, but at the same time contributes to the country’s economic interests,” he said.
“Based on these guidelines, entry permits must comply with strict criteria that positively contribute to high-impact sectors in our country.”
The minister was responding to a supplementary question from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) on how entry permit policies align with Malaysia’s strategic workforce needs, particularly in high-impact and critical sectors.
He noted that 15,081 applications had been approved out of 19,205 backlog cases from 2013 to 2023, with the remainder rejected but eligible to submit appeals.
Ninety-eight per cent of 5,628 appeal cases from 2020 to 2024 have been resolved following instructions for all outstanding appeals to be decided this year.
Among the reforms, Saifuddin highlighted a reduction in the minimum marriage duration for Malaysian spouses applying for entry permits from five years to three.
He also announced the digitalisation of immigration services, replacing the outdated myIMMs system with the National Integrated Immigration System, which will streamline processes, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency.
In a related development, the Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia) has registered 177,161 undocumented foreign migrants (PATI) under the Repatriation of Migrants Programme 2.0 (PRM 2.0) from 19 May 2025 to 23 February 2026. Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban noted that walk-in counters replaced the appointment system to facilitate timely processing, with priority given to early arrivals.
Zakaria said more than 100,000 undocumented migrants have been repatriated to their home countries through PRM, generating over RM88 million in government revenue to date.
While PRM 2.0 is scheduled to end on 30 April, the ministry is still deliberating on whether to extend or conclude the programme.
Under PRM 2.0, foreign nationals are granted immunity from prosecution and offered fines according to the type of offence.
Individuals who entered or overstayed without valid passes are charged RM500, those violating pass conditions face RM300, and a special pass fee of RM20 applies to all categories.
Children under 18 are exempt from fines but must also pay the RM20 special pass fee.
Saifuddin clarified that PRM 2.0 is not available to migrants who previously registered but failed to depart under the same programme, reinforcing the initiative’s focus on compliance and orderly repatriation.
The Home Minister stressed that the dual approach of facilitating high-skill entry permits while managing undocumented migrants supports Malaysia’s workforce development and economic interests without undermining local talent. - February 26, 2026