PUTRAJAYA: Almost 1,400 companies have applied to become registration agents for the two-week legalisation and amnesty exercise for illegal foreign workers that will be conducted next month.

Home Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Mahmood Adam said the applications would be vetted by a special committee with representatives from various ministries, government agencies, police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

He said illegal immigrants would not be charged any fees to register at the nearest immigration office or the appointed companies between July 11 and 24.

“This exercise is the last opportunity for employers to register their illegal workers before an integrated enforcement is undertaken by the Government,” Mahmood said.

Serious matter: Mahmood speaking during the briefing at the ministry. Beside him is deputy secretary-general Datuk Alwi Ibrahim.

He said illegal immigrants who came into the country to work illegally, those who overstayed and those who misused entry permits and passes or falsified travel documents should register under the exercise.

Mahmood said those who had registered would be allowed to continue working until a decision was made.

He said the exercise was aimed at verifying the number of illegal immigrants in the country as well as compiling data and obtaining their biometric fingerprints.

“We want to create a comprehensive database on the foreign workforce in the country to allow effective monitoring and resolve the problem of forged documents,” he said.

Mahmood said the illegal immigrants who had registered would be legalised and offered employment in sectors where there was a need, while those who wanted to return home would be allowed to do so at their own expense without any action being taken against them.

He said illegal immigrants who failed to register would be liable for court action before being deported to their home countries.

“We will also blacklist them and deny them entry in future,” he added.