Dhaka: Malaysia has said Bangladesh nationals, now staying in Malaysia illegally, will be able to legalise their status by December 31 through availing of advantage of its "rehiring programme".

Director General of the Malaysian Immigration Department Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali conveyed the decision to Bangladesh side during a recent meeting with a Bangladesh delegation.

Representatives from India and Nepal were also present at the meeting held on Monday at the Malaysian Immigration Department.

A two-member Bangladesh delegation, led by High Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam, attended the meeting.

Mustafar Ali urged all to avail of the advantage under the rehiring programme, according to a press statement issued by the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian immigration authorities have also assured the Bangladeshi workers that they will ensure safe and fear-free travel to the Immigration Department.

About the crackdown, the high commission press release said this is a usual and continuous drive of any country against illegal people to maintain the law and order of that particular country.

"This is undoubtedly a positive decision towards the Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia," said a Bangladeshi diplomat.

According to sources in Malaysia, employers of illegal foreign workers were given the opportunity to legalise their employment under the Immigration Department's E-kad (enforcement card) programme which started on February 15 last and ended on June 30.

On July 1, the immigration authorities launched a large-scale operation to flush out illegal immigrants in Malaysia. Police detained some 1035 foreign nationals, including 515 Bangladeshis.

According to the Bangladesh High Commission, so far about 1 lakh Bangladeshis came under the E-kad process and another 2.93 lakh under the 'rehiring programme', which the DG of Immigration highly praised.

The High Commission said around 26 Bangladeshis are now in different detention camps with three months to one year jail terms.