Latest news with #ImmigrationDepartment
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
MyVisa 2.0 to elevate Immigration digital services
Ever-ready team: Elite Immigration enforcement personnel conducting a drill showcasing their operational capabilities. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star PUTRAJAYA: Enhanced digital service delivery from the Immigration Department for electronic visa applications is in the pipeline with the launch of MyVisa 2.0. The upgraded system was launched yesterday in conjunction with the 103rd Immigration Day celebrations and is slated for rollout on Aug 1. 'It is an enhanced version of the original MyVisa system introduced on Dec 1, 2021. The new system has been developed as an integrated digital visa platform, offering faster, safer and more efficient application experiences, in line with the expectations of citizens and international visitors who prioritise convenience in public services. 'MyVisa 2.0 incorporates various advanced technologies such as Optical Character Recognition, real-time notifications, smart automation and a dedicated mobile app for applicants. 'It provides a fully digital visa application process, including passport scanning, document uploads, virtual interviews, real-time tracking, eVisa approval with QR codes and interactive support via live chat,' the department said in a statement yesterday. It added that the new system will no longer require applicants to head to the Malaysian Representative Offices abroad. The 103rd Immigration Day celebration ceremony was launched by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah on behalf of Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution. He left the event before its conclusion to attend another meeting. Earlier, Saifuddin Nasution said the country is still behind despite embracing artificial intelligence (AI). 'Today, we embrace AI, but we are still three years behind. 'But if we don't start now, we will be 30 years behind,' he said in his opening speech. The minister urged the department to send officers for AI training at local universities. 'Send personnel to local public universities such as UKM and UiTM in batches. 'Give them the opportunity to attend one- to two-week courses to gain knowledge of AI and develop the skills needed to use AI tools, which are evolving rapidly day by day.' Saifuddin Nasution also urged the Immigration Department to increase its commitment to combating graft within its ranks. 'With reforms anchored on efficient governance, strengthened integrity and impactful service delivery, I hope the department will uphold a zero-tolerance policy against corruption,' he said.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Supply chains could be disrupted'
FMM cites knock-on effect from extended migrant repatriation programme PETALING JAYA: The extended Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 may have a knock-on effect on the nation's manufacturing sector due to disruptions in the supply chain, says the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. Its president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said while the programme would have little impact on the manufacturing industry as a whole, the sudden exit of foreign workers could disrupt supply chains. 'Our members mostly do not employ undocumented workers due to stringent audit requirements and high compliance expectations from both regulators and international clients. 'But the sudden departure of undocumented workers from other sectors, coupled with the current freeze on foreign worker recruitment, could result in a disruption to our supply chains and have a knock-on effect in various sectors, including manufacturing. 'The government must ensure a continuous and legally compliant supply of foreign workers to meet the needs of businesses and maintain industrial sustainability,' he said when contacted. For the programme to achieve success, Soh emphasised the necessity of implementing it alongside coordinated enforcement, public education and structural reforms aimed at addressing the underlying causes of undocumented employment. 'The misuse of business licences by locals, which enables undocumented workers to operate outside the legal employment system, is also a systemic issue that is unresolved,' he said. Soh suggested the government fast track the anti-Ali Baba law to prevent foreign workers from illegally operating businesses. 'We have consistently highlighted that this law is critical to tackling the root causes of undocumented employment and illegal business operations,' he added. Soh also said that more clarification is needed with regard to plans to allow foreign workers to transfer between employers across sectors. He said the proposal was merely communicated through an internal circular by the Immigration Department and lacked subsequent public clarity and implementation details. 'This has created uncertainty among employers and must be addressed promptly if the government intends for this mechanism to work in tandem with the repatriation programme,' he said. The government initially implemented the programme from March 1 to Dec 31 last year. It allowed undocumented migrants to return to their home countries without facing prosecution by paying a compound fine of between RM300 and RM500. On Friday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the programme would be extended until April 30 next year. Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia president Datuk William Ng said the government should consider legalising undocumented migrant workers if they were already gainfully employed. 'If they entered Malaysia illegally, knowing full well they were going to be working without documentation, why would they surrender themselves?' he said when contacted. Unlike Singapore, Ng said Malaysia doid not have problems with regard to the availability of land for workers' housing. 'It makes little sense to approach the issue of migrant workers as though they are depriving local individuals of employment opportunities. 'They are not, and this is starving our industry of growth,' he said. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Nivas Ragavan said the extension was a welcome move but needed better coordination. 'While digitalisation has helped the process, inconsistent enforcement and sudden changes in requirements often cause delays. 'More coordination between agencies would help,' he said. He also mentioned that there continued to be a shortage, particularly in the semi-skilled and low-skilled sectors. 'The repatriation programme may worsen this in the short term unless it is balanced with streamlined legal recruitment channels.'
