Categories: Malaysia

In Malaysia, more than 90% of foreign workers have not provided regulatory-compliant housing

KUALA LUMPUR: Accommodation that complies with the provisions of the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 or Act 446 is not provided to about 91.1 percent or 1.4 million foreign workers in Malaysia, said Malaysian Minister of Human Resources M Saravanan on Thursday (Dec 3).

Saravanan said he found “very worrying” statistics, particularly with the current COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that only 143,587 foreign workers, or 8.83 percent of the 1.6 million foreign workers in Malaysia as of Oct 31, had received applications for accommodation certificates from the government.

Saravanan, who spoke to reporters at a press conference on Thursday, said This situation clearly shows that employers and providers of centralized accommodation for 1.4 million foreign workers in Malaysia still do not apply for a certificate from the Department of Manpower Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM).

Also present was Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Saravanan said enforcement would be carried out and action against errant employers would also be taken.

Since the) enforcement of Act 446 last Sep 1, 1, 1,850 inspections were carried out by JKTSM involving 1,813 employers and 37 centralized providers of accommodation throughout the Labuan Peninsula and Federal Territory.’

“JTKSM is targeting 25,000 inspections by 2021,” he said.

Ismail Sabri, who is also chairman of the Foreign Workers Cabinet Committee, said the accommodation certificate would be a prerequisite for employers planning to hire new foreign workers as of 1 July 2021.

The employer must obtain a certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources to enable the Malaysian Immigration Department to issue a visa before the employer makes an application to bring in foreign workers.

“This means that employers are required to make available accommodation that complies with Act 4467 before foreign workers arrive in the country. Otherwise, foreign workers are (considered) illegal immigrants,” said Ismail Sabri.

Tags: workers
Katherine S

1/4 German, 3/4 Malaysian. I write, follow and monitor closely political news happening in Malaysia, and other happening news in the ASEAN region. Newswriter for the best ASEAN news website - The Asian Affairs.

View Comments

  • Many thanks for being the lecturer on this subject. I enjoyed
    your current article quite definitely and most of all enjoyed
    the way you handled the issues I thought to be controversial.
    You happen to be always rather kind towards readers much like me
    and assist me to in my living. Thank you.

Recent Posts

Why Unpredictable March Weather Is Shaking Thailand’s Tourism Sector

March is the time of the year that marks the change of the cool season in Thailand to the hot…

March 11, 2026

Did Any Enhypen Member Leave Before? Fans Ask After Heeseung News?

In recent times there has been a trend in conversation regarding the lineup of ENHYPEN and many fans are asking…

March 11, 2026

Buriram United vs Melbourne City FC: AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 Second Leg Preview, Prediction

Tensions are high for the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 second leg. Thai giants Buriram United will…

March 10, 2026

Swiss Open 2026: Can Pearly-Thinaah Finally Break Their Semi-Final Curse?

The Swiss open 2026 has again thrown the limelight on the best women doubles couple Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan…

March 10, 2026

From Seven to Six: Heeseung Announces Departure From the Group — Know What Happened

Reports on the withdrawal of Heeseung, who is an internationally famous boy band ENHYPEN, cut the hearts of its fans…

March 10, 2026

Where to Watch Episode 17 of Thailand’s #1 Drama of 2026 – The Heart of Yiwha

Asia Based on viewers of Thai drama, episode 17 of The Heart of Yiwha is a hotly anticipated program in…

March 10, 2026

This website uses cookies.

Read More