New D-G on mission to tackle problem of illegals

Views and suggestions voiced by various parties would be taken into consideration, say Mustafa Ibrahim.

PUTRAJAYA: Newly-appointed Immigration director-general Mustafa Ibrahim is a man with a mission.

He views the influx of illegal immigrants into the country, which has become a bane to the department, as a personal gauntlet to be taken up.

He said his previous experience in heading the Malaysia Volunteers Department, better known as Rela, gave him an advantage in handling the issue.

“This (immigration) department is not my comfort zone but poses a big challenge. I will continue any policy or measures taken by the previous top management but this time, the focus may be a bit different,” he told a news conference here.

Mustafa, 57, replaces his predecessor, Aloyah Mamat, who has assumed the post of Government Security Office director-general last Friday.

Mustafa said views and suggestions voiced by various parties would be taken into consideration, including efforts to eradicate the “middlemen” who were said to have been the main cause of the problem.

“I am warning those contributing to the problem of illegal immigrants, including those in Cameron Highlands, that we will act at any time,” he added.

Besides that, he said the department would go over suggestions raised by the government regarding the formation of an independent commission to tackle the issue of foreign, legal and illegal workers.

“We will discuss this and submit counter-proposals, if necessary,” he said.

Mustafa said the department would continue to collaborate with the private sector and government-linked companies to improve the department’s delivery system.

- BERNAMA