Malaysia hard on Bangladeshi tourists to check illegal transit to Australia
Malaysia provides 23 reasons for deportations of tourists
Although Malaysia has become an increasingly popular destination for Bangladeshi travellers, hundreds are being stopped at Dhaka airport or turned back upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur, despite holding valid visas. Immigration authorities in both countries have intensified checks amid a surge in cases of Bangladeshi travellers using Malaysia as a transit point for illegal attempts to reach Australia.
Between January and October this year, around 10,000 Bangladeshis were denied departure at Dhaka airport, including at least 3,000 bound for Malaysia on tourist visas. For those who cleared Bangladeshi immigration, the risk remained high: Malaysian authorities deported 3,224 Bangladeshis between January and June.
The figures, reviewed by The Business Standard and sourced from the Special Branch's Immigration and Criminal Investigation Department, provide detailed reasons behind the denials. Correspondence between the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka and Bangladesh's Special Branch shows many deportees were suspected of planning onward travel to Australia via Indonesia.
On 7 June 2024, Australia's federal police, through the Australian High Commission in Dhaka, notified Bangladesh's foreign ministry about two alleged trafficking attempts involving 41 Bangladeshis who tried to reach Australia from Malaysia via Indonesia. A senior Criminal Investigation Department (CID) official said pressure from both Malaysia and Australia has triggered far stricter vetting of Bangladeshi travellers.
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Reasons behind the deportations
Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Tourism, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, told an event in Dhaka on 4 November that Bangladeshi tourist arrivals reached 2,02,929 between January and August, a 128% year-on-year rise. However, as deportations spiked, Bangladesh's Immigration Police sought clarification from the Malaysian High Commission.
During a meeting at the Special Branch headquarters on 15–16 October, Malaysian officials listed 23 reasons for deportations despite valid visas. The most common issue involved mismatches between visa-application documents and those presented upon arrival.
According to officials present at the meeting, many Bangladeshi applicants show large bank balances to secure tourist visas but withdraw the money immediately afterwards. Malaysian authorities view this as an indicator of non-genuine travel intent.
Fake or cancelled hotel bookings were another major concern. Many travellers cancel hotel reservations after receiving their visas and attempt to stay with relatives instead. Immigration officers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport often detect these discrepancies when travellers fail to produce the same documentation submitted during their visa applications.
A Dhaka airport immigration officer said some outbound passengers also carried insufficient funds. "A few did not have even $100 but claimed they were going on holiday," the officer said.
Officials further noted that the rising number of undocumented Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia—who face legalisation costs of up to 6,000 ringgit—has pushed some to seek illegal sea routes to Australia through traffickers.
Tripartite syndicate
CID's Human Trafficking Wing has found that Bangladeshi, Malaysian and Indonesian syndicates are using TikTok and Facebook to lure migrants with offers to reach Australia by boat for Tk6 lakh. It identified several TikTok accounts, including Australia Boy 770, hasanmohammad1312, Australia.sydney40, Md Rakib.rahman and KHAN Australia Jisan Khan.
In 2023 and 2024, Australian coastal police intercepted at least 41 Bangladeshi nationals attempting to enter through Indonesian waters.
"We've identified several social-media accounts offering false promises of work and residency in Australia," said Mostafizur Rahman, additional superintendent of police at CID's Human Trafficking Department. "It's a complete deception and a serious red flag."
The 'game' of illegal migration
Investigations show that Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia are first contacted by traffickers online. They are told they will only pay after setting foot on Australian soil.
The journey begins in Johor Bahru in Malaysia, where small boats ferry groups to Indonesia's Kupang Island in East Nusa Tenggara. Once there, the migrants are held hostage by the syndicates and forced to pay Tk6 lakh upfront before being moved again towards Christmas Island.
For most, the dream ends there. Many are arrested on or near Christmas Island – an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean south of Java – and eventually deported.
At least eight Bangladeshis were detained in 2023 and another 32 in 2024, according to official records.
"The people paying traffickers to reach Australia by sea are being deceived," said Ahammed Hussain Zibu, of KTM Consulting Group in Sydney. "They end up detained and deported, and this damages Bangladesh's passport reputation."
Canberra's response
In a written reply, the Australian High Commission said, "Australia works closely with regional partners – including Bangladesh – to combat human trafficking. All visa applications are assessed individually on their merits."
The Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka had not responded to The Business Standard's queries at the time of filing this report.
According to immigration police sources, around 35-40 lakh Bangladeshi expatriates live in Malaysia. Of these, roughly 25% either lack valid visas or require trade licences to operate businesses.
"Many are attempting to move to countries like Australia in search of a better life – a pursuit that is actually a mirage," said Mostafizur Rahman, additional SP of CID.
