Malaysia nabbed illegal aliens

Malaysia nabbed illegal aliens

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia, a haven for illegal immigrants, recorded nearly 50,000 cases of unlawful entry, overstaying and crimes by foreigners last year, a news report said yesterday.

Indonesians and Bangladeshis formed the bulk of foreigners detained for immigration offenses, followed by Myanmarese, Filipinos and Thais, The New Straits Times said.

"Many of the offenders came here on tourist passes but failed to return to their countries when their passports expired," the paper quoted Aris Chonin, spokesman for the Malaysian immigration department, as saying.

Aris said some tourists who overstayed were caught doing business.

He said of the 49,707 aliens detained in 1994, about 57 percent were Indonesians, 22 percent Bangladeshis, six percent Myanmarese, five percent Filipinos, two percent Thais and eight percent other nationals.