KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is offering illegal Indonesians safe return home without being prosecuted to avoid them making secret journeys in rickety boats after several fatal accidents ahead of the Eid Al Fitr festival, officials said yesterday.
At least four boats have sunk since last month as Indonesians, drawn to the relatively affluent Southeast Asian country for work, sought to go home for Eid Al Fitr, Islam’s biggest festival, which starts in Malaysia tomorrow.
The sinking killed dozens and has left scores more missing.
Those wanting to return will be fined for being in Malaysia illegally, but will escape harsher prosecution, such as jail terms and caning, said a home ministry official who declined to be named as he is not authorised to make public statements.
Home Minister Zahid Hamidi was quoted by The Star yesterday as saying this was a “golden chance” for undocumented migrants.
“The legal way will be safer with less hassle, compared to risking their lives while paying a hefty fine to syndicates” smuggling the migrants via sea, he told the daily newspaper.
In addition to the fine of at least 300 ringgit, Indonesians will have to pay 100 ringgit more for a one-way pass to return home.
The home ministry official did not say how much the maximum fine could be. He added the programme was running from this month until the end of December, and could be extended to other nationals later.
AFP
