Malaysia revokes 1,306 PLKS work passes after MyIMMs system hack

Foreign workers whose Malaysian work passes are linked to the MyIMMs system breach may lose their legal status, with immigration officers preparing to trace affected holders.

1,306 passes face revocation

Malaysia’s Immigration Department said July 31 that it would revoke all Temporary Employment Visit Passes (PLKS) approved fraudulently through the hacked system. Officers will then locate pass holders and take enforcement action.

The syndicate allegedly used foreign-worker quotas allocated in 2011 and bypassed required levy payments to secure 1,306 passes. Authorities haven’t published the passes’ issue-date range, so it remains unclear how far back the review will reach.

The decision followed Ops Crack, a joint operation by the Immigration Department and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on July 28-29. Twelve people were arrested, including immigration officers, company directors, three foreign nationals and a police officer.

Most travelers aren’t included

The revocation targets PLKS holders, primarily employer-sponsored foreign workers in sectors such as manufacturing, services and plantations. Reports don’t include Employment Passes, Professional Visit Passes or lawful Social Visit Pass holders in the action. More detail on those distinctions appears in Malaysia’s residency and entry rules.

PLKS holders with upcoming international travel should verify their pass status with their employer and the Immigration Department before departure, then keep approval letters, levy receipts and employer records available for checks.

Tourists following their entry conditions aren’t affected by the revocation. Holders of canceled PLKS passes, however, could lose their right to work and remain in Malaysia and may face detention, prosecution or deportation under immigration law.