Migrants in Malaysia: Over 11,500 returned since Nov

At least 11,510 Bangladeshi migrant workers have been repatriated from Malaysia under a special repatriation programme that began in November last year, Malaysian media reported on Tuesday.

A report run by The Star said a total of 88,034 foreigners have been repatriated as part of Malaysia's repatriation-recalibration programme.

Malaysia's Immigration Director General Khairul Dzaimee Daud said 107,524 foreigners were enlisted in the programme as of August 1.

He said those sent home included 56,154 Indonesians, 16,194 Indians and 11,510 Bangladeshis.

"Some RM52 million in compounds was collected," Khairul Dzaimee told reporters after visiting the recalibration counters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday.

He said the recalibration programme has garnered tremendous response since the launch of the counters on July 8.

Most of the people who took part in the programme had overstayed for between three and five years, he added.

The presence of undocumented migrants has led to losses of about RM130 million in annual levy for the Malaysian government, the immigration official said.

In June, Malaysia extended its recalibration programme -- both repatriation recalibration and labour recalibration -- till December 31 this year for migrants living in the country illegally.

The programme is expected to benefit many undocumented Bangladeshi workers in the Southeast Asian country.

Under the schemes, an undocumented migrant worker gets the opportunity to become regularised or return to his home country without facing any legal action.

The recalibration programme was initially implemented from November 16 last year to June 30 this year, according to Bernama, Malaysia's national news agency.

About 8 lakh Bangladeshis are now in Malaysia.