The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur advised Filipino nationals to fully complete their immigration documentation and always carry proper identification documents in light of the Malaysian government’s crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals.
"We wish to remind our Filipino nationals to have proper documents, notably work permit or passport with valid visa, and carry it with them in case of immigration checks, in order to avoid inconvenience. Also, Filipinos who wish to enter Malaysia for work should have approved work permits or similar papers as they start their jobs here," Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said in a Department of Foreign Affairs report.
The Ambassador made the call as he and Consul General Medardo G. Macaraig visited Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and other places frequented by Filipinos in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysian authorities started on September 1 a crackdown against undocumented foreigners, involving personnel from different government agencies which has resulted so far in 2,433 foreign nationals arrested. According to news reports, they are mostly Indonesians nationals (717), Myanmar nationals (555), Bangladeshi nationals (387), and Nepali nationals (229).
"We checked with the immigration detention facility in Putrajaya, and we were informed that Filipinos are not among those arrested and currently held in said facility," Consul General Macaraig said.
Last Monday, September 02, Ambassador Malaya called on Minister for Home Affairs Dato’ Sri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and exchanged views on the concerns of Filipinos in Malaysia, including access to education by Filipino school-aged children. Ambassador Malaya also requested humane treatment for Filipinos who may be affected by the campaign against illegal immigrants. The Ambassador was accompanied during the call at Minister Zahid Hamidi's office in Putrajaya by Consul General Macaraig, First Secretary and Consul Ma. Antonina M. Oblena and Police Attaché Charlo C. Collado.
"To ensure that our nationals have the proper documents, the Embassy continuously undertakes mobile consular missions particularly in Sabah, where we provide not just passports but also birth documentations for our nationals there. We deploy twice a month a consular mobile team of six to seven personnel for two-week stay in Sabah," Ambassador Malaya added.
The consular missions have visited Kota Kinabalu, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Tawau, Kudat, Keningau, Kota Marudu, Sandakan and other areas.
An Embassy consular mission is scheduled to visit Labuan and Miri and Bintulu in Sarawak to also provide consular services to Filipino nationals there. (DFA)
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