PUTRAJAYA (June 7): The authorities have sufficient information that Low Taek Jho or Jho Low is among the main criminals that caused the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal to become the biggest crime in the world, said Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

As such, he said, stern action must be taken immediately to drag Jho Low to face justice.

"Some people ask me why Jho Low is not arrested because information has been gathered. I say let's delay a little, but there are quarters who don't want to wait, they hope stern action can be taken not within today, but ‘yesterday'.

"I did not say that I want to give priority to regulations and the law, but in cases that are clear, stern action must be taken immediately according to the penal code or law on corruption,” he said when addressing the Monthly Assembly of the Home Ministry, here today.

According to Muhyiddin, scandals on corruption like the 1MDB, which were reported to the police and other enforcement agencies, could not be ignored and action must be taken immediately.
 
Thus, he wanted the staff of the Home Ministry to cooperate in helping the various quarters including the committee and special team on 1MDB to take immediate action on anyone concerned regardless of race or position.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the Home Ministry would review the entry of foreign workers and to tackle the dumping of illegal immigrants to protect national security and sovereignty from any form of threat.

This was to ensure that anyone, including syndicate or local leaders who abetted in the entry of illegal foreign workers, would be imposed with a heavy penalty as a lesson to everyone.

“I want all policies and systems that are currently being used to be reviewed. This is not a difficult matter, but the longer it is delayed the more problems will arise. Indirectly, the people will bear the cost. The people are already questioning the excessive dumping of foreign workers throughout the country.

"There are instances where their number is bigger than the locals and they have taken over businesses. How could this happen? Do elements of corruption exist in the entry of foreign workers? I know that the number of foreign labour force coming to Malaysia to work in plantations or factories exceeds the number required,”he said.

Muhyiddin said the issue on the dumping of foreign workers at all points of entry and borders including in Sabah and Sarawak could not be compromised and there was a possibility that the entry of excessive foreign workers could have negative impacts on social, economic and security problems.

"How do we manage the problems of the dumping of illegal immigrant workers so that they will not prolong. This is not a question of one person entering the country, it runs into the millions. I consider this as the biggest threat and if no action is taken to resolve it, national security will be threatened in future.

"The Pakatan Harapan government is committed to eradicate corruption sternly. Although the country needs foreign workers to assist the national economy to move smoothly, it is crucial that the local people are given opportunity and priority in the field of employment,” he added.