Gov't ready to help undocumented Filipinos in Malaysia amid crackdown

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government on Friday said it is ready to provide assistance to Filipinos affected by the crackdown launched by the Malaysian government against undocumented migrants.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said it will coordinate with relevant Malaysian authorities on the case of a Filipino allegedly mistreated in Sabah and possible maltreatment of arrested Filipinos. The embassy is also sending personnel to Sabah to assist Filipinos there.

“In addition, the embassy is further validating reports of arrest of Filipinos in light of the Malaysian Government's crackdown against illegal migrants which began last January 21. We stand ready to provide help, including the provision of needed documents and other forms of assistance,” the embassy said.

The embassy said it respects the right of the Malaysian government to implement the crackdown and it is hopeful that authorities involved will observe humane treatment of those arrested.

Even before an initial crackdown was announced last September, the embassy was already assisting undocumented Filipinos, it said.

“To ensure that our nationals have the proper documents, the embassy continuously undertakes mobile consular missions particularly in Sabah, where we provide not just passports but also birth documentations and other forms of assistance to our nationals there last year. We deployed a consular mobile team of six to seven personnel for two-week stay in Sabah twice a month,” the embassy said.

The embassy urged Filipinos to complete their immigration documentation and always carry proper identification documents to avoid inconvenience in case of immigration checks. It also asked employers and agents to hand over any passport and other identification documents to their Filipino employees for their safety and protection.

It added that those who wish to work in Malaysia should ensure that they have proper work permits before they start their work in the country.