PUTRAJAYA is treating illegal migrants fairly as opposed to what politicians or civil society groups claim, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The defence minister said while they have taken action against the illegals, they have also been treated properly and given food.

“Even when they were tested positive for Covid-19, we treated them.

“If people want to say that we don’t care about the illegal migrants, it is not true.

“We hope politicians or civil society groups will not become heroes for the illegal migrants,” Ismail Sabri said at the ministry’s daily press conference in Putrajaya today.

He was responding to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) statement this morning, which said the government had acted unfairly against foreign workers during the movement-control order (MCO).

“Maybe Suhakam is confused because there are two categories of foreign workers in Malaysia. The ones that have work permits and those who are here illegally,” Ismail Sabri said.

On Astro Awani today, Suhakam had questioned the arrest of migrants by authorities in areas locked down to curb the transmission of Covid-19.

Ismail Sabri said permit holders are protected by the government and they get many benefits from their employers because they are legally here.

“There are no issues with foreign workers here. We need them for construction, farming and other sectors. 

“We treat them well. They have Socso and we follow international standards.

“The issue is the illegal workers. They entered illegally and are undocumented.” 

He, however, said this does not change their status as they have no right to be in Malaysia. 

“That’s why we are planning to repatriate them. 

“If they say that we raided the illegals during the enhanced movement-control order, it’s not true. 

“They don’t have documents because they are illegals and we can’t let them off. 

“It is not like we took advantage to raid them during EMCO. We took action because they are illegals.” – May 27, 2020.