KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 -- Putrajaya has launched a special operation to further strengthen the nation's borders, to prevent immigrants from returning to Malaysia after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays through illegal routes, or rat lanes.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that "Ops Benteng" is an integrated exercise involving the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) as well as other border control agencies.

"We feel that the danger is after Hari Raya. We fear those attempting to return because our policy is clear. Our policy is that once a foreigner returns to his home country, he cannot return to Malaysia during the movement control order (MCO)....