Malaysia launched a hunt on Thursday for some 50,000 illegal immigrants and overstaying foreign tourists, state-run Bernama news agency said on Thursday.
The crackdown comes as Malaysian police have come under fire for allegedly mistreating some visitors from China. "The prime minister has directed that we should trace the 50,000 people," said Othman Talib, director of Federal Police's internal security and public order, was quoted as saying.
Those caught in the crackdown would be handed to immigration authorities and prosecuted, Bernama said. Othman did not reveal the nationalities thought to make up the 50,000. Beijing has lodged a diplomatic protest with Malaysia over alleged humiliation and assault of Chinese women in police custody. Malaysia is investigating the complaints.