Malaysia cracks down on illegal immigrants

Malaysia cracks down on illegal immigrants

MALAYSIA: Malaysia launched a hunt on Thursday for some 50,000 illegal immigrants and overstaying foreign tourists, state-run Bernama news agency said on Thursday.

The crackdown comes as Malaysian police have come under fire for allegedly mistreating some visitors from China.

"The prime minister has directed that we should trace the 50,000 people," said Othman Talib, director of internal security and public order with the Federal Police, was quoted as saying.

Those caught in the crackdown would be handed to immigration authorities and prosecuted, Bernama said. Othman did not reveal the nationalities thought to make up the 50,000.

Beijing has lodged a diplomatic protest with Malaysia over alleged humiliation and assault of Chinese women in police custody. Malaysia is investigating the complaints.

Last week, newspapers splashed a story about a mobile-phone video clip that purportedly showed a a woman constable ordering a young Chinese woman to strip and squat naked in a police station.

Malaysia was a major destination for Chinese tourists until this year, when there has been a marked drop in arrivals. -- Reuters