Its minister, Hamzah Zainudin, said the ministry found several Indonesians in possession of UNHCR refugee cards during an enforcement operation conducted by the immigration department.

“How can the UNHCR issue such cards arbitrarily? Those who possess them seem to be able to somehow stay in the country legally,” he said during a media conference after the operation at Meru Market here last night.

The operation saw 704 foreigners inspected and 51 immigrants detained for various immigration-related offences.

On the system failure at the Kelana Jaya immigration office reported by a news portal yesterday, Hamzah said it not only occurred there but immigration offices in other locations as well.

“We use an online passport application system but it’s old and it was overwhelmed.

“We have awarded a contract for a new system. Insya-Allah in 2024 it will all be completed, and we can use a better more sophisticated system,” he added.