The 6P Programme has legalised 329,936 illegal immigrants to work with 59,009 employers in manufacturing, services, construction, plantation and agriculture sectors.

Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) secretary-general Mahmood Adam said 115,721 illegal immigrants were pardoned and chose to return home, with Indonesians the highest at 73,598.

It was followed by India (9,034), Nepal (7,254), Myanmar (6,342), Cambodia (4,337), Bangladesh (4,289), Vietnam (2,498), Pakistan (2,450), Philippines (1,945), Sri Lanka (1,481), China (1,168) and other countries (1,325).

“Some 85,818 illegal immigrants chose to return by air, 29,405 by sea and the remaining by land,” said Mahmood in a statement today.

KDN’s 6P programme to legalise foreign workers and illegal immigrants launched on Oct 10, 2011, ends on April 10.

The 6P Programme One Stop Centre in Cameron Highland has processed 1,793 illegal immigrants involving 301 employers, while nine applications for new foreign workers or replacements have been received involving 140 workers.

The One Stop Centre which opened on March 5 was closed today after three weeks operation.

In addition, KDN via the Foreign Workers Application Appeals Committee, is considering applications for recruitment of new foreign workers and replacements in critical sectors, especially those involved in National Key Economic Areas.

- Bernama