A total 18,607 illegal immigrants in Malaysia were whipped under an amendment to the Immigration Act introduced in 2002, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Tan Chai Ho said Wednesday.

The number comprised 11,473 Indonesians, 2,786 Myanmars, 1,956 Filipinos, 708 Bangladeshis, 509 Indians and 1,175 other nationalities, Tan told reporters at the parliament lobby here.

"Most were whipped for entering without valid documents but the women and men above (50) years who were caught were spared," he said.

Tan warned that illegal immigrants who refused the current amnesty to leave the country that they would be flushed out when the authorities launch a large-scale operation next month.

Malaysia offered illegal immigrants an amnesty from Oct. 29 to Nov. 14 prior to the Hari Raya Aidilfitri (the Break Fast Festival), and extended it at the request of Indonesia.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, now in Indonesia on an official visit, Wednesday announced that the amnesty for Indonesian illegal immigrants would be extended to Dec. 31 this year.

Up to Dec. over six million illegal immigrants had left voluntarily.

"Unofficial estimates indicate there are still about one million illegal immigrants in the country. We want to ensure they go back to their country of origin until no one remains behind," Tan said.

"We are unhappy many have still not left...if they don't leave they will face the full might of the law."

He said the operation would cover urban as well as rural areas and plantations throughout the country.

"As such I urge employers not to take the risk and to send home their illegal workers before the end of December."

"If they want to come and work here, they should do so by following the proper procedures," he said.

He added that 112 cases of employers harboring illegal workers had been brought to the courts.

Hundreds of thousands of the foreign workers from neighboring countries make a beeline to Malaysia every year to earn a living in various sectors, especially in construction and plantation, due to insufficient job opportunities at home.

Source: Xinhua