Malaysia Cracks Down on Foreigners Misusing Social Visit Passes for Work
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 14 — In a decisive move to address immigration violations, enforcement agencies in Malaysia will intensify actions against foreigners w...
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 14 — In a decisive move to address immigration violations, enforcement agencies in Malaysia will intensify actions against foreigners who misuse social visit passes to engage in employment within the country. This initiative, announced by Madani Government Spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, follows discussions at today's Cabinet meeting and will be coordinated by the Home Ministry.
Fahmi, who also serves as the Communications Minister, highlighted that the Cabinet deliberated on concerns raised by the business community and other stakeholders regarding the prevalence of foreigners exploiting social visit passes to work illegally across various sectors. "Follow-up action will be taken by enforcement agencies, with monitoring coordinated by the Home Ministry," he stated during a post-Cabinet press conference in Putrajaya.
This crackdown aligns with the Home Ministry's ongoing commitment to bolster border security and combat the misuse of immigration facilities through a comprehensive three-tier strategy. The approach encompasses measures before arrival, at entry points, and within the country, specifically targeting individuals who abuse social visit passes for unauthorized work or business activities. By reinforcing these protocols, the government aims to safeguard the integrity of Malaysia's immigration system and ensure compliance with legal frameworks governing foreign labor.
In addition to immigration enforcement, Fahmi provided updates on media-related developments. He recently convened a meeting with members of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC), marking a significant step toward the council's formal establishment. During the session, MMC members indicated a need for time to implement basic administrative structures before fully assuming their roles. "Once these basic matters are resolved, they have given their commitment to manage issues related to the journalists' code of ethics, including establishing a mechanism to receive public complaints on matters concerning media reporting," Fahmi explained.
Furthermore, Fahmi briefed the MMC on the RM30 million Media Innovation Fund, which has completed its initial phase. This fund is designed to support media organizations—including newspapers, radio, and television—in their digital transformation efforts. Emphasizing the role of technology, Fahmi clarified that the adoption of new tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI), is intended to augment and complement media professionals rather than replace journalists or cameramen. "The use of new technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), is intended to support and complement media practitioners, not to replace journalists or cameramen," he affirmed.
Looking ahead, Fahmi has advocated for the MMC to have a prominent role in the upcoming National Journalists' Day, scheduled for June. "I have also requested that the MMC be given an appropriate platform and space to play a significant role during National Journalists' Day, which is scheduled to be held in June, insya-Allah," he added, underscoring the government's support for media development and ethical journalism.
These announcements reflect the Madani Government's multifaceted approach to addressing both immigration challenges and media sector evolution. By tightening enforcement on social visit pass misuse, Malaysia seeks to protect its labor market and uphold immigration laws, while initiatives like the Media Innovation Fund and MMC engagement aim to foster a robust, ethical, and technologically advanced media landscape. As these measures unfold, stakeholders can expect continued coordination between enforcement agencies and the Home Ministry to ensure effective implementation and compliance.
