Indonesia has expressed concerned over Malaysia's plan to carry out a mass deportation of illegal immigrants from Sabah.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak yesterday announced a plan to clear out illegal immigrants, mainly from Indonesia and the Philippines, who have settled in Sabah.

illegal immigrants roundup 010305 patiently waiting"It is a concern when you deport hundreds of thousands of Indonesians back home," said Eka Suripto, a counsellor with the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Politicians in Sabah have pushed the national government to expel the illegals, saying they were a burden on the economy and pose a security threat by engaging in crime and the drugs trade.

"If you deport thousands of illegals, the local industries will not have workers. The demand for workers will only fuel the return of the illegals," Eka said.

Authorities say there are 130,000 illegal migrants in Sabah, but local politicians put the figure as high as 500,000. Many of them work in the timber and plantations industries.

A perennial irritant

The issue of illegal migrants is a perennial irritant between Malaysia and Indonesia.

In 2005, Malaysia embarked on another major offensive to expel illegals, mainly from Indonesia, in which at least 300,000 people were deported.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim and his visiting Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda met today and discussed a number of bilateral issues, including labour.

Rais urged Malaysian employers to ensure their foreign workers had valid travel documents and that the plan to deport illegals does not become a political issue between the normally friendly neighbours.

"We do not want any commotion (over the deportation plan). The onus is on employees to get the necessary documents for their workers," he said.

An estimated 1.1 million legal foreign workers and 800,000 illegals work in Malaysia, officials said.