PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry (KDN), through its enforcement agencies, is mobilising a special operation to crack down on illegal business activities carried out by foreigners who misuse social visit passes in the country.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the move follows instructions from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who had raised concerns over the issue following numerous public complaints.
He said agencies under the ministry, including the Immigration Department and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), would intensify enforcement efforts to curb such activities.
“The Prime Minister himself has received complaints on this matter. As such, the relevant agencies have been instructed to strengthen enforcement actions. Of course, we will investigate offences under the Immigration Act,” he told reporters after the ministry’s monthly assembly here today.
Earlier, the prime minister, in his speech at the Communications Ministry’s monthly assembly, directed the relevant ministries and enforcement agencies to take firm and comprehensive action against illegal business activities involving foreigners.
He said the proposed measures should be implemented immediately through coordinated efforts involving all relevant agencies, including the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), local authorities (PBT), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM
According to Saifuddin, the Home Ministry possesses the necessary expertise and intelligence capabilities to track foreigners involved in illegal business operations.
“We have identified hotspots and mapped locations where foreigners are known to be violating the Immigration Act, whether by entering the country without valid documents, overstaying, or misusing their passes,” he said.
According to him, many complaints from local traders stem from unfair competition created by foreigners operating businesses without complying with the same regulations and tax obligations.
“They enter the country using social visit passes and then engage in business activities. The complaints from locals are mainly about unfair competition.
“While local businesses pay taxes and comply with regulations, these individuals often do not, allowing them to offer services at significantly lower prices. Some operate as interior decorators, while others take furniture orders and conduct other commercial activities,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution added that the ministry has extensive experience in dealing with cases involving the misuse of social passes, particularly in Sabah.
“As an example, through the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), we have taken action against resorts on Sabah’s east coast believed to be operated by foreigners who entered the country on passes that did not permit business activities.
“We have conducted multi-agency operations in the area, led by ESSCOM, and enforcement actions have been carried out on three occasions over the past year,” he said. – BERNAMA
