If not, they face jail sentences of up to five years or fines of more than $US2,600, or both, plus whipping.

Kewl... Cheers, RAH ------- <http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1231083.htm> Radio Australia - News - Amnesty encourgaes departure of Malaysia's illegal immigrants US warns of possible terror attacks in Indonesia during Ramadan > [17:10:10] Two quakes hit Indonesian city > [03:20:19] Bashir declares innocence as trial opens in Indonesian capital > [03:20:18] Last Updated 29/10/2004, 21:50:16 Malaysia has launched an amnesty for illegal immigrants. The Malaysian government hopes some 160,000 Indonesians, working illegally in the country, will head home during the 17 day amnesty program to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. If not, they face jail sentences of up to five years or fines of more than $US2,600, or both, plus whipping. Thousands of illegal immigrants have reportedly been whipped in Malaysian prisons since harsh new laws were introduced two years ago. Immigration officials say there's been little response so far, but they say they expect more people to leave in the coming days. Illegal immigrants can only depart if they have valid travel documents and a ferry ticket, and all those leaving are fingerprinted. Under the amnesty, 6,000 illegal immigrants held at detention centres in Malaysia will also be allowed to return to their countries, if they are not involved in court cases. There are about 1.2 million illegal immigrants in Malaysia, mainly from Indonesia and the Philippines. -- ----------------- R. A. Hettinga <mailto: rah@ibuc.com> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'