Immigration turns up the heat on tomyam restaurants
KOTA BARU: The Immigration Department will step up enforcement at tomyam restaurants, including in Kelantan, following a claim by Thai authorities that about 100,000 workers at such eateries in Malaysia do not have valid work permits.
Kota Bharu, Malaysia - The Malaysian Immigration Department plans to intensify checks on tomyam restaurants, especially in Kelantan, in response to a claim by Thai authorities regarding a large number of workers there without valid work permits. Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban acknowledged the Thai authorities' assertion.
As of September 15, there were 12,629 active Temporary Employment Visit Passes (PLKS) issued to restaurant workers. The department is determined to take strict action against any foreigner violating immigration rules or engaging in unauthorized activities.
The Immigration Department aims to ensure that all foreign workers adhere to the terms of their passes and comply with immigration laws. This announcement comes after Thai authorities claimed about 100,000 workers at tomyam restaurants in Malaysia were working without valid permits. According to the report from Utusan Malaysia, Chonthanya Saengphum, acting secretary-general of Thailand's Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre, stated there were approximately 200,000 Thai nationals working at around 5,000 tomyam restaurants in Malaysia.
He further alleged that more than half of them lacked valid work permits. This issue has gained considerable attention as many Thai nationals are employed in the restaurant sector, particularly in states adjacent to Thailand, including Kelantan.
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