In a statement, it said the programme, which was introduced on Feb 15, would end on Thursday, June 30.

It said the government had improved the conditions and registration process from time to time to get more employers and illegal migrant workers to register.

It also said that the government would not hesitate to prosecute employers who had hired illegal migrant workers.

Section 55(B) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 provided for a fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000 or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both, for employers for every illegal migrant worker employed, it said.

“At the same time, employers with more than five workers can be jailed for between six months and five years and given up to six strokes of the cane,” it added.

The ministry said the rehiring programme could only be done online through the rehiring.imi.gov.my portal, which had the stipulated conditions that could be downloaded.

Enquiries on the programme could be addressed to the immigration operations room at 03-8880 1555 or 03-8880 1557 daily between 8.30am and 11pm, it said.

– BERNAMA