Sharp, essential news and analysis from Malaysia.
Malaysian authorities have dismantled a passport forgery syndicate that operated for approximately one year, with officers recovering RM200,000 from an e-wallet connected to the suspected ringleader.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Human Resources Ministry to accelerate approval of 15,000 outstanding foreign worker applications, addressing mounting pressure from employers facing staffing constraints.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the Ministry of Human Resources to expedite processing of 15,000 foreign worker applications to tackle workforce shortages in critical industries and sustain economic momentum.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has directed authorities to resolve outstanding foreign worker employment applications for the restaurant sector within a month, prompting the Federation of Malaysian Business Associations to praise the government's responsiveness to industry pleas.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has reaffirmed that Malaysian workers must receive first consideration for available positions, with foreign labour recruitment permitted only when local talent is unavailable and subject to legal compliance.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given relevant government ministries a one-month deadline to process and approve foreign worker applications across selected sectors, notably the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given Malaysian ministries one month to streamline foreign worker application processes, with immediate focus on the struggling restaurant sector facing acute labour shortages.
A Singapore-based man allegedly conned six foreign nationals into paying S$14,000 for counterfeit work permits and training certificates. Investigations by MOM and police are ongoing.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has directed ministers to find solutions to the acute foreign worker shortage affecting Malaysia's restaurant sector within 30 days, signalling the government's determination to address the crisis without fully opening borders.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed relevant ministries to address foreign worker recruitment challenges within 30 days, focusing on sectors like restaurants grappling with severe staffing gaps.
Malaysia's immigration department has intensified enforcement against foreign nationals abusing social visit passes to work illegally, with arrest figures more than doubling since 2023.
Malaysia's Immigration Department is stepping up enforcement operations against the misuse of Social Visit Passes, with arrests for SVP-related offences nearly doubling from 1,279 in 2023 to 2,644 in 2024.
Thailand's Criminal Records Division has tightened verification procedures by requiring fingerprint-based identity confirmation for nine categories of foreign applicant applications, affecting permanent residence, work permits, and other official processes.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed the government's commitment to prioritising local employment while acknowledging that certain sectors require foreign workers. The approach will involve joint coordination between relevant ministries and stricter enforcement against violations.
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The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has seized RM2.5 million in luxury items and frozen 14 bank accounts in a sweeping investigation into immigration corruption involving enforcement officers, civil servants and foreign nationals.
Malaysia's Cabinet will review e-invoicing requirements and mandatory 2% EPF contributions for foreign workers, following representations from Barisan Nasional about business compliance burdens.
Malaysia's Human Resources Ministry has fully digitised foreign worker quota approvals through the eQuota module, replacing discretionary case-by-case processing. The shift aims to ensure transparent, standardised procedures for employers seeking foreign labour.