Share
KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of the legalisation process, the second component of the 6P programme for illegal foreign workers, will be known after it is discussed at the cabinet committee meeting on Oct 4.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he was happy that during the first component of the programme, which was registration, 2.3 million foreign workers had voluntarily registered.
"Out of this number, one million are legal while the other 1.3 million are illegal. Imagine how many more out there who have not registered.
"The 2.3 million who have registered do not include the domestic maids and those foreign workers in Sabah dan Sarawak, as well as refugees who number more than 100,000," he said after opening the two-day Third International Conference on Financial Crime and Terrorism Financing here on Monday, Sept 19.
Datuk Alwi Ibrahim, the ministry's deputy secretary-general (Registration and Immigration), had before this said that the legalisation process would begin in mid-September after all the information gathered from the registration process had been scrutinised.
He said the information and data would be used to screen the illegals to be considered for legal employment with the list of registered employers under the programme.
The 6P programme for illegals involves registration, legalisation, amnesty, monitoring, enforcement and deportation.
On the opposition's call for the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) to be replaced if they come into power, Hishammuddin said it was provocative, unpatriotic and disrespectful in their quest for votes, thinking that the general election would be held soon.
"Each time when me could rebut the opposition's claims, whether over the security law, citizenship process, entry permits and birth certificates, they would come out with statements like this to gain sympathy," he said, referring to the opposition's current preoccupation with making provocative statements that touched on Malaysia's history, heritage and nationhood.
Last week, Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M Manoharan from DAP, said the opposition would change the national flag if they come into power in the next general election.
Hishammuddin said the government understood the opposition's audacity in raising such issues and also realising the changing political landscape, it had the courage to draw up new laws to see that there were limits to politicking and power.
"When patriotism, racial unity and respect for each other's religion are at stake, the government has to take serious action including transformation," he said.
Last Friday, when delivering a Malaysia Day special address to the people, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 and Banishment Act 1959, and a review of the Restricted Residence Act 1933, Publications and Printing Presses Act 1984 and Section 27 of the Police Act.
On the abolishment of the ISA which had drawn various reactions from the Ummo grassroots, Hishammuddin who is also party vice-president, said explanations would be given to them and this started in Negeri Sembilan two days ago, with Melaka soon.
He said his ministry was also working closely with the Information Communication and Culture Ministry and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz in reviewing the Publications and Printing Presses Act.
"Besides public interest, my other consideration is national security. If these are being threatened, we have to act appropriately and with a clear conscience."
He said this when asked on the significance of no longer having to renew the publishing permit annually when the Home Ministry still has the power to revoke the permit anytime. — Bernama
SHARE
