271,375 Illegal Immigrants Detained Since 2001

271,375 Illegal Immigrants Detained Since 2001

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- A total of 271,375 illegal immigrants were detained through enforcement by the Immigration Department, Rela and the police between 2001 and last year, the Dewan Rakyat was told Thursday.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the government estimated that there were about 1 million illegal immigrants in the country but the situation was under control, thanks to concerted and continuous enforcement by the three agencies.

It cost RM205 to deport each illegal immigrant by sea, he said in reply to Amran Ab Ghani (PKR-Tanah Merah).

Deportation by air ranged from RM1,200 to RM3,600 per immigrant, depending on the country of origin.

Syed Hamid also said that about two per cent of the crimes in the country were committed by illegal immigrants.

-- BERNAMA