BIOMETRIC SYSTEM TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT ALL ENTRY POINTS FROM OCTOBER

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- The biometric system will be implemented all
entry points from October to enable the particulars of each visitor to the
country to be recorded," said Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said the system would also be able to alert immigration authorities on those
barred from entering the country, besides facilitating immigration enforcement
more comprehensively.

"With the biometric technology, which I was told will not cost very much, those
who benefit in terms of foreign workers will also have to bear some
responsibilities," he said.

He said employers too must play a role, and as they were responsible for
bringing in foreign workers to the country, they also had to be responsible when
their foreign workers ran away.

Currently, the employers did nothing when their foreign workers ran away, he
told reporters after launching the "Countdown Famine 30 Hours" charity programme
in Bukit Jalil here Sunday.

However he said in solving the problem of illegal workers, it needed the
cooperation of all agencies involved in border control, such as immigration,
marine police and the armed forces, besides bilateral cooperation with
neighbouring countries' enforcement agencies.

Hishammuddin also said a comprehensive database would be put in place on the
employment of foreign workers to prevent indisriminate hiring of foreign labour.

"We are going to be very firm on syndicates dealing in illegal workers. We are
going to be very firm on (enforcement) officers that work with such syndicates,
and we are going to ensure those who become victims return to their countries of
origin," he added.

Sunday's programme, which was participated by some 8,000 people, was organised
by World Vision Malaysia, Sin Chew Daily and HELP University College in
collaboration with 8TV, MIX fm and MY fm.
-- BERNAMA