SEREMBAN: The Senawang Immigration Department here was a hive of activity today as thousands of illegal foreign workers, their employers and agents chased today's deadline to obtain their Enforcement Card (E-Card).
“We got our waiting numbers yesterday, but we didn’t manage to obtain our cards since the queue was too long. So we came earlier this morning,” said one foreign worker who only wanted to be known as Sham.
“Some were here even before us, at 5am,” he added.
The E-card programme was introduced to address labour shortages in several key economic sectors in Peninsular Malaysia by providing temporary verification documents to illegal foreign workers.
An employer who wanted only to be known as Ramesh said was spending his third day at the crowded Immigration office with his 20 workers. He finally obtained E-Cards for all of them after paying RM636 for each employee.
"I think the E-Card was a wise decision by the government, because it (offers safety for) employers and employees," he said.
An employer who declined to be named expressed regret that he did not apply for the E-Card earlier.
"I should have done it earlier and not at the last minute.
“I hope that the authorities will give us another chance,” he said.
The E-Card is applicable to workers from 15 countries, namely Bangladesh, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
According to Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali, the department will launch a manhunt for illegal immigrants beginning July 1, nationwide.
In PORT KLANG, the department said it expected to handle over 1,300 E-card registrations before the midnight deadline.
Selangor Immigration Department director Omran Omar said for the past three days, thousands of employers and their workers, have been 'camping' near the office to get their applications processed.
"A majority of them did not leave this area. Some who went home returned at 4am the next day.
"There are a lot of last-minute applications despite being given ample time since Feb 15. All our six counters processing the applications have been opened since 8am and will close at midnight today.
"Everything is going on smoothly so far and the situation is under control despite the surge in applications and the swelling number of people here," he said.
Omran said as of yesterday, a total of 4,852 employers have registered a total of 41,673 illegal workers. We have also rejected 1,278 applications due to various offences such as overstaying and using fake passports.
He added that in anticipation of possible untoward incident, the department has requested for the assistance of Port Klang police to maintain public order in the area.
"I have asked for police presence here as there may be some untoward incidences towards at the end of the day as employers rush to submit their applications." he said.
Construction company owner Abul Faram Ashwali, 39, who arrived late at the Immigration Department office in Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, said he brought along all the required documents for all his 16 foreign workers.
"I am not prepared to lose my workers as they are very experienced. With this E-Card, at least they can work here in peace and earn a decent living," he said.
Foreign worker Jamadil Rahmat, who has been working in Malaysia for more than seven years, said he was grateful to have received his E-Card today.
The 47-year-old Indonesian oil palm plantation worker said he had to skip his trip back to Lombok to celebrate Aidilfitri with his family because he wanted to make sure that all the documentation for the E-Card process were complete.
"I usually return for Hari Raya but this year due to some setbacks and delay, I had to remain in Malaysia to complete the application process.
"I came with seven plantation workers from Muadzam Shah at 3am and after waiting for almost nine hours, we manage to collect our processed applications," he said.
Meanwhile, Ali Musam from India said he hoped to get his documentation sorted out by tonight.
"I hope my employer will be successful (in obtaining the E-Card) as I cannot imagine the possibility of returning to my country. I have been here for almost two years." said the restaurant helper. Additional reporting by Amirah Nabilah and Nurul Fazleen