PUTRAJAYA, Oct 3 – A total of 37,313 illegal immigrants were arrested across 10,374 enforcement operations conducted nationwide between January 1 and September 29, 2026, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

In an official statement shared on his Facebook page on Saturday, October 3, 2026, Saifuddin reported that 137,603 individuals were inspected during joint field operations and raids led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Immigration Department (JIM).

“Alhamdulillah, KDN and JIM’s efforts to address the issue of illegal immigrants continue to be carried out every day,” Saifuddin stated, noting that the ongoing challenge stems from historical administrative enforcement gaps.

Enforcement Targets Employers and Harborers

Saifuddin emphasized that enforcement actions extend beyond undocumented workers to include individuals who employ, harbor, or exploit illegal immigrants.

Key statistics and warnings highlighted by the Home Minister include:

Employer Arrests: A total of 1,809 employers were detained for immigration offenses during the period, with 1,692 identified as Malaysian citizens.
Historical Employer Arrest Trends: Enforcement against employers has increased steadily in recent years, with 346 arrested in 2023, 1,859 in 2024, and 2,202 in 2025.
Compliance Expectations: Foreign visitors and workers must strictly adhere to legal channels and avoid offenses such as trespassing, document forgery, or overstaying.

“Never protect illegal immigrants. Together, let us help KDN and JIM resolve this crisis for the future of our children and grandchildren,” Saifuddin urged, reaffirming that KDN and JIM will maintain an aggressive, daily operational stance across all states.

–NMT

Tags: KDN Saifuddin Nasution