04 November 2004 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo today instructed the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to continue exerting all efforts to enable Filipinos in Malaysia with immigration difficulties to avail of the amnesty program currently being implemented by the Malaysian government from 29 October to 14 November 2004 (please see DFA press release no. SFA-AGR-676-04 dated 23 October 2004).

Filipinos who wish to avail of the amnesty must meet the following conditions: (a) present valid travel documents such as passports or temporary travel certificates or other documents recognized by their respective governments; (b) leave Malaysia through any of the 19 designated exit points and (c) arrange for payment of their transport out of Malaysia.

Secretary Romulo told the Embassy to assist Filipinos who find it hard to avail of the amnesty and go back to the Philippines because of such obstacles as delay in payment of their wages by employers or difficulty in securing the required papers.

The Philippine Embassy informed Secretary Romulo that it is conducting information campaigns among Filipino communities in different parts of Malaysia and has sent mobile consular teams to Sabah in Northern Borneo for the issuance of temporary travel documents.  Sabah has the highest concentration of Filipino nationals in Malaysia.  From 29 October to 01 November 2004, the Philippine Embassy was able to issue 383 travel documents, 209 of which emanated from the mobile teams sent to Sabah.

To encourage Filipinos to avail of the amnesty being offered by Malaysia, the Philippine Embassy’s issuance of travel documents is ongoing even during weekends and holidays for the duration of the amnesty period.  As further assistance to Filipinos under its jurisdiction, the Embassy is not charging the usual fee for the issuance of a travel document for Filipinos availing of the amnesty.

The Philippine Embassy urges Filipinos in Malaysia who are staying on despite the lapse of their visa’s validity to immediately avail of the amnesty so as to avoid being penalized by the Malaysian government.  It is expected that stern action would be taken by Malaysian authorities against illegal aliens who are still in the country after 14 November.  The Malaysian government is in fact defraying part of the cost of repatriation by shouldering the boat fare of Filipinos being sent home from Sabah.  END.