Sarawak extends amnesty for illegal immigrants

THE Sarawak state government has allowed the Immigration Department to carry out an amnesty programme for illegal immigrants until March 31, said its director, Datuk Robert Lian.

He said the amnesty was aimed at determining whether the illegals were allowed to stay and work or leave the country.

"During the period, the state government allows employers to hire illegals registered under the 6P programme," he said in an e-mail to Bernama.

He said the employers must apply for the Labour Recruiting Licence (LRL) to hire the illegals from the state Labour Department, which would determine whether they were allowed to work in the state or otherwise.

He said upon approval of the LRL, the employers should immediately apply for temporary employment passes (PLKS) for the illegals from the Immigration Department or its divisional offices.

For children under 12 accompanying their Indonesian mothers or fathers, who have valid PLKS or registered under the 6P programme, Lian said they would be considered social visit passes subject to the duration of their parents' PLKS. Lian said illegals aged between 13 and 17 years should return voluntarily to their country of origin by March 31 at the latest. They are required to get the Check-Out Memo from the nearest divisional Immigration office before returning home.Bernama