Thats US$11.00 per registerationPUTRAJAYA, July 26 ? A total of...

Thats US$11.00 per registeration

PUTRAJAYA, July 26 ? A total of 390,404 foreign workers have registered under an amnesty programme since it was launched on July 13, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

?I am pleased to announce that the shortest time taken to register a worker stands at one minute two seconds. On average, registration takes around two minutes,? Hishammuddin told reporters following an official visit to the Immigration Department here.

?We hope many will take this opportunity to register themselves as legal foreign workers. There are in total 37 registration centres all over the country that are open seven days a week, day and night. The department is very committed to this initiative.?

The home minister (picture) said it was typical for people to register last minute, and then complain about the long wait.

?This programme is not new. If you wait until the last minute, of course there is going to be a long queue. Also, employers who register early will be given priority when in need of foreign workers in future. There is no favouritism. They registered early. So don?t complain because they are given first priority,? he said.

When asked if the department was going to extend the registration programme, Hishammuddin said the extension will only deter people from registering as soon as possible.

?They will also wait until last minute to register. So as of now, the ministry stands firm that the last day to register will be on the 31st of this month,? he said.

Hishammuddin said the initiative was ultimately for the security of the country.

?By introducing a biometric system, it makes it easier for the ministry to monitor the movement and whereabouts of foreigners in the country,? he said.

?The world is borderless and allows transnational crime to flourish. With the programme, we can keep a close watch on terrorism, drugs smuggling, human trafficking, and money laundering.

?Monitoring is important to prevent these unwanted situations. Falsifying passports is rampant these days. You can make a false passport, but you cannot run away from thumbprint,? Hishammuddin added.

Hishammuddin urged workers and employees who have yet to register to do so as soon as possible before the end of this month.