PM Anwar orders stricter enforcement against foreigners misusing social visit passes to work, as authorities screen over 54,000 people since 2025
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed authorities to intensify enforcement against foreigners who exploit social visit passes to work in Malaysia, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
Fahmi said the directive comes in response to recent enforcement operations and concerns that visa misuse could impact local employment.
“The prime minister has called for stricter measures against foreigners who abuse social visit passes or violate visa conditions for work. They will face severe penalties.”
He added that since 2025, 54,791 people were screened nationwide, comprising 51,100 last year and 3,691 so far this month.
Fahmi said these screenings are part of ongoing efforts to prevent visitors from entering Malaysia for tourism or social reasons and then engaging in unauthorised work.
“What was emphasised during today’s Cabinet meeting was the prime minister’s instruction that firm action be taken against foreign nationals and visitors who abuse social visit passes or visa flexibilities to work illegally.”
Previously, the Home Ministry said it was committed to tightening border controls and addressing the abuse of immigration facilities through a comprehensive three-stage strategy – before arrival, at entry points and inside the country.
Fahmi said all Cabinet ministers have been reminded by Anwar to uphold integrity and avoid any “unwanted actions”, amid ongoing high-profile investigations, including a major corruption probe involving the Environment Department.
He said Anwar has reiterated the importance of enforcement and maintaining public trust in institutions.
Fahmi acknowledged concerns that some enforcement actions were perceived as counterproductive, and could undermine public confidence.
He said the Cabinet had not interfered in any investigations being conducted independently by the relevant authorities.
“These actions are being carried out by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Environment Department. The Cabinet has not intervened and fully trusts the authorities to take action.”
His remarks follow the MACC’s arrest of the director-general and his deputy in connection with an electronic waste (e-waste) case.
Both, along with an assistant officer, were remanded for seven days, while a civilian was remanded for three days to assist in investigations.
The probe involves alleged abuse of power and corruption linked to e-waste management over several years, and is being conducted under the MACC Act 2009.
On Thursday, it was reported that MACC had frozen 16 bank accounts holding RM10.2 million as the agency intensifies its probe into alleged corruption related to e-waste processing, effluent discharge and scheduled waste disposal in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
They also quoted sources saying that cash amounting to RM87,000 and valuables worth RM220,000 were also seized under MACC’s Ops Nature.
