KL Immigration Recovers RM10 Million In Compounds From Massive Crackdown On Foreign OverstayersRecord Compound Collections Reflect Aggressive Enforcement SweepsThe Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department has successfully recovered more than RM10.04 million in compounds following an intensive six-month enforcement sweep targeting undocumented foreign nationals and visa violators. The massive operations, which spanned from January 1 to June 30, 2026, underline the government's zero-compromise stance on national border security and labor regulations. Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department director Hamsha Injau confirmed that a total of RM10,041,130 was collected through legal compounds. During this exact period, immigration enforcement authorities successfully brought forward 845 charges involving 801 foreign nationals from various countries. The aggressive crackdown comes as the Home Ministry strengthens integrated operations with multiple local enforcement agencies to systematically flush out illegal worker settlements across the capital city. Overstayers Top The List of Immigration Act ViolationsOfficial data reveals that foreign nationals staying past their permitted limits constitute the vast majority of local immigration offenses. Out of the hundreds of charges filed in the first half of the year, overstaying was identified as the primary infraction. The department has vowed to sustain these targeted raids throughout the commercial zones and residential hotspots of Kuala Lumpur. Section 15(4) Legal ActionsA total of 556 charges were filed specifically under Section 15(4) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, making it the highest recorded offense during this multi-month enforcement window. Foreign nationals found guilty of remaining in the country after the expiry or revocation of their short-term social visit passes face severe judicial penalties. Stiffer Penalties Proposed for Employers Harboring Illegal MigrantsThe immigration crackdown is not only focusing on undocumented individuals but is heavily pivoting toward the local business owners who sustain them. The Immigration Department has explicitly warned that strict legal actions will proceed without compromise against any local individuals, premises owners, or corporate entities found employing or harboring illegal immigrants. To deter businesses from bypassing legal recruitment lines to cut operational costs, Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban stated that the authorities are prepared to propose an increase to the current maximum compound rates. Currently, businesses face a maximum compound of RM10,000 for each undocumented foreign worker employed. If these current rates fail to serve as a sufficient deterrent, the department plans to formally request that the federal government raise the statutory maximum. Voluntary Return via the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0As enforcement operations like "Op Mega" continue to expand into dense commercial sectors, authorities are urging remaining undocumented individuals to step forward voluntarily. The government has established structural exit pathways to allow overstayers to return home without facing immediate detention or corporate blacklist prosecution. Undocumented migrants are highly encouraged to utilize the active [Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0] -> (Link to: Official portal for Malaysian Immigration Department repatriation procedures), which is scheduled to run continuously until May 31, 2027. This initiative allows individuals who have committed minor passport and pass infractions to return to their home countries safely after resolving minimal administrative processing fees, effectively avoiding the threat of severe corporal punishment or prolonged detention center stays. Key FactsTotal Funds Recovered: RM10,041,130 collected in compounds between January 1 and June 30, 2026. Total Charges Filed: 845 judicial charges brought forward against 801 distinct foreign individuals. Primary Offense: 556 charges recorded under Section 15(4) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for overstaying. Employer Penalties: Maximum current compound stands at RM10,000 per undocumented worker, with discussions underway to increase this fine. What People Are AskingWhat is the current penalty for overstaying a tourist visa in Malaysia?Under Section 15(4) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, individuals who overstay their valid passes can face a court fine up to RM10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both. Administrative compounding options are capped at RM3,000 for eligible cases. How can undocumented migrants leave Malaysia without being arrested?Undocumented migrants can voluntarily surrender under the ongoing Migrant Repatriation Programme (PRM) 2.0 before May 31, 2027. This allows them to pay a standardized compound fee and obtain a formal exit pass to return home without facing imprisonment or regular enforcement detention.