Digital registration for foreign immigrants in Sabah actively carried out in the field

25 April 2024

By Nabalu News Journalist

KOTA KINABALU: The current status of the digital registration proposal for foreign immigrants in Sabah and current number of recorded foreign immigrants in Sabah is still being carried out in the field.

The Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Hj Noor said this in answer to Datuk Ewon Benedick, State Assemblyman for Kadamain who inquired about the status concerned in the State Assembly today.

Hajiji said the Digital Data Collection Outreach Programme has been implemented since September 2022 until now and is still actively being carried out in the field.

According to him, during the initial phase, the Digital Data Collection Outreach Programme focused on the agriculture and construction sectors, as these sectors have the highest number of foreign nationals and also active demand for labor in the 3D category, which stands for Dirty, Difficult, and Dangerous.

“Since the start of the Digital Data Collection Outreach Programme on September 12, 2022, until now, the program has been actively running, including during the month of Ramadan, where a total of five plantation companies have participated and been fully involved,” he said.

According to him they included Kumpulan Sawit Kinabalu, Sabah Softwood Berhad, Benta Wawasan Sdn. Bhd, FGV Plantations and Cepat Wawasan Group Berhad.

“Foreign nationals participating in this program are digitally registered and recorded, involving the collection of personal information, facial recognition, and biometrics, using the Integrated Foreign Worker and Non-Resident Management System of Sabah (S.W.I.M.S). The registration of these foreign nationals is based on the data collection matrix guided by the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963,” he stated.

The number of foreign nationals who have successfully been recorded in the S.W.I.M.S system and verified by employers is 39,276 individuals, including 21,994 workers and 17,282 dependents. Detailed information will be provided once the digital data collection activity is fully completed, he said.

As for undocumented foreign immigrants (PATI), the government will not compromise on security issues involving PATI in Sabah, where the Immigration Department of Malaysia in Sabah and related enforcement agencies will always carry out operations to apprehend and deport these groups, he stressed.