MHO urges postponement of foreign worker entry

The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organization (MHO) has called on the government to halt the planned entry of 15,000 foreign workers, urging instead that priority be given to stateless individuals within Malaysia. MHO Secretary-General Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim stated that while the organization understands the need to fill labor shortages, the large-scale intake of foreign workers should be re-evaluated.

Hishamuddin emphasized that stateless individuals, many of whom are fourth or fifth-generation residents born in Malaysia, should be granted official identities and legal pathways to work in the 3D sectors, jobs that are dirty, dangerous, and difficult. He argued that this approach would not only be a humanitarian act but also economically beneficial, as the earnings of stateless workers would be spent within Malaysia, unlike foreign workers who often send a significant portion of their income abroad.

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Stateless people are currently a liability to the country; if we manage them well, give them an identity and job opportunities in the 3D sector, they can become an asset to the country.

Furthermore, Hishamuddin highlighted the security implications of the current situation. He noted that stateless individuals, lacking proper identification, are difficult to monitor and manage systematically, posing a potential liability to the nation. "Stateless people are currently a liability to the country; if we manage them well, give them an identity and job opportunities in the 3D sector, they can become an asset to the country," he explained.

MHO currently handles around 1,000 cases of stateless individuals in Sabah who have been detained but cannot be deported due to a lack of documentation or receiving countries. Hishamuddin pointed out that many of these individuals were born in Malaysia and cannot be classified as illegal immigrants. He stated that MHO intends to present its proposal to the Ministry of Human Resources to postpone and reassess the entry of the 15,000 foreign workers, referencing a recent directive from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to expedite processing for foreign labor.

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If you want to get 15,000 stateless people, there's no need to import from Lahad Datu or Tawau, they are already here. Give them documents and they work to fill the 3D sector, there is no need for us to bring in new foreign workers into our country.