PORT KLANG: The measures taken against illegal immigrants during the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) were not discriminatory as alleged by a foreign news agency, because they were carried out in accordance with the law.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the move was also to safeguard safety and security in the interest of the citizens of the country.
“Although the foreign news agency stated that we were harsh and hard (on the illegal immigrants), I feel that was what the people wanted. The people want the government to be firm on those who do wrong.
“So, we should not dwell on what was reported as the story had been distorted. To me, the offenders were detained according to standard operating procedures and in accordance with the laws of this country,” he told a press conference after the handover of two patrol vessels here, today.
He said this when asked to comment on the 20.25-minute Al Jazeera documentary report titled “Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown,” criticising Malaysia in its handling of illegal immigrants during the MCO enforced to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the same time, he said, the government has not barred foreigners from working in the country but they must follow the immigration procedures and obtain the required documents or valid work permit.
“To realise the country’s development needs, we need workers to do heavy manual labour jobs which usually, only the foreign workers are willing to do.
“Owing to all these, the government needs to put more emphasis on law enforcement because it is the people’s wish to see that everyone living here, obeys the laws of the country,” he said. – Bernama
