80 students stay illegally

80 students stay illegally

PADANG, West Sumatra: The authorities have found 80 foreign students, mostly Malaysians, without necessary stay permits.

Most do not even have visas, said Sunandar, a spokesman for the provincial immigration office.

"In fact, we could have deported them but instead we have given them another chance to obtain the permits and visas," Sunandar was quoted by Antara as saying on Saturday.

He added that over the past few months, immigration authorities have expelled two foreigners for not having proper immigration documents and another for stealing a car stereo.

The immigration office called on foreign workers to obtain the documents or face expulsion.

An estimated 4,000 foreigners currently work in West Sumatra, most of whom come from China and the rest from Malaysia and France. (pan)