JAKARTA, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Malaysian Deputy Premier Seri Najib Tun Razak told a Jakarta news conference Wednesday his country will crack down on illegal immigrants early next year.
"When actions are taken by the Malaysian government on Indonesian illegal immigrants after Dec. 31, the Indonesian government hopes that humanitarian consideration will be given," he said in a joint press conference with Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
The comments were reported by the official Malaysian Bernama news agency.
Illegal immigrants, many of them from Indonesia, initially had until mid-November to return to their homes. Those who defy the order will risk legal action, including whippings.
From late Oct. 29 to Dec. 6, 118,754 illegal immigrants returned home; 101,668 of them were Indonesians.
Kalla welcomed Malaysia's decision to extend the deadline but said he could not guarantee an end to illegal immigration from his country.
