Around 515 Bangladeshis among 1035 foreigners were detained as the Malaysian Immigration Department is now out in full force to nab illegal foreign workers, reports The Star.

Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said on Saturday enforcement officers inspected 155 premises around the country, screening 3,393 people.

Of those rounded up, he said the majority were from Bangladesh at 515, followed by Indonesia (135), Myanmar (102), the Philip­pines (50), Thailand (five) and Vietnam (two).

The rest were from other countries, he said, adding that those detained included 101 women and the three children.

The Strait Times quoted Mustafar saying most of the workers inspected were working for the nearby furniture and plastic manufacturing factories.

On Friday, Mustafar did not mince his words when he said that ‘there will be absolutely no extension’ of the deadline for the E-Card registration.

‘To those who thought we would extend the deadline, ‘no way’. We have to show stern action. It might seem severe but we are protecting the country’s interest and sovereignty.

‘We will take action everyday to ensure this country is free of foreign workers working without permits,’ he added.

The deadline for the E-Card (enforcement card) registration ended on 30 June.

Mustafar also said the department had conducted a comprehensive campaign to educate employers and foreign workers on the issue, including reaching out to the respective embassies.

The E-Card, which was launched on 15 February, functions as a temporary confirmation of employment for illegal workers, which replaces valid travel documents from their respective countries.

The card is given out to employees for free, and is valid until 15 February 2018.