PUTRAJAYA, 30 January 2026 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for strict enforcement action against foreign nationals who abuse social visit passes or visa relaxation schemes to work illegally in Malaysia.
Madani government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the prime minister raised the issue during the Cabinet meeting on Friday, following reports and the latest briefings on enforcement actions and arrests linked to the misuse of social visit passes for employment.
“Even though their entry is for social reasons, whether to visit or travel, it turns out that elements of employment have been detected,” Fahmi said at his weekly press conference here.
Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, added that during the meeting, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail informed Cabinet that 54,791 foreign nationals had been subjected to enforcement action in 2025 and up to mid-January this year.
Of the total, 51,100 individuals were recorded last year, while a further 3,691 cases were recorded up to mid-January, Fahmi said.
The prime minister’s remarks signal a tougher stance by the government on immigration enforcement, particularly amid concerns over the misuse of entry privileges and the impact of illegal employment on Malaysia’s labour market and regulatory framework.
