SANDAKAN: Employers in the plantation and agriculture sectors in Sabah are urged to continue cooperating in the implementation of the Targeted Regularisation Programme.
Sabah Immigration Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof also advised employers not to use middlemen or runners in their dealings related to the programme, as this could jeopardise the regularisation efforts.
She said this to the media after officiating the Sandakan Immigration Office Meet-the-Customer 2024 programme at the Wisma Persekutuan parking lot in Batu 7, here, Monday.
The event also included a blood donation drive by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the National Registration Department, Prisons Department and the National Anti-Drug Agency.
SPONSORED CONTENT Sinyi Group Founder, Chou Chun-Chi, Wins 2024 Asia Pacific Enterprise Award and Expands Sustainable Tourism Ventures in Sabah, Malaysia Kota Kinabalu: The 2024 Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards, hosted by Enterprise Asia, aims to recognize the most outstanding business leaders and organizations in the Asia-Pacific region. Read more The Targeted Regularisation Programme began in 2019 but received limited uptake from employers, and the consulate noted a shortage of passports for affected workers, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme has resumed with the State Government’s approval.
The programme consists of two stages - first, the State Government collects data on the required workers and approves quotas according to procedures; second, the Immigration Department issues Temporary Work Visit Passes (PLKS) based on that approval.
Employers must also register their workers and liaise with their respective embassies to obtain passports, subsequently coordinating with the Immigration Department for further actions under the Targeted Regularisation Programme.
In another development, she said social visit passes (IMM 13) holders and the Approved Census Certificate, who previously received political asylum in the 1970s, should obtain their respective passports for related matters, including spousal guarantees.
As of Sept 18 this year, the Sabah Immigration Department has received 205 complaints, of which 199 have been successfully resolved.
Most complaints pertained to the presence of undocumented immigrants in certain areas.
“We have taken note, taken action and enforced measures, while feedback will also be provided to the complainants regarding the actions taken,” she said.
Only a few complaints concerning the conduct of Immigration officers were received, and investigations are underway by the Integrity Department.
Regarding the programme, she noted that it provides information to the public about the Immigration Department’s services overall.
She also advised Immigration personnel to continue their best work and counter public perceptions about them.
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