International Desk: The application suspension period for the recruitment of foreign workers will remain closed until further notice, said Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

On October 21, several media outlets, including the country's official news agency Bernama and Star Online, reported that the total number of foreign workers in the country as of September 15 had reached the limit. As there is currently no labor shortage in Malaysia, the moratorium on new foreign worker quota applications will remain in place until further notice.

He added that according to the 12th Malaysia Plan, the total number of foreign workers in the country is determined by the Ministry of Economy, which is 157 percent of the country's total workforce. The government will consider and reconsider the opening of the quota for the recruitment of foreign workers.

In a statement, he said, the moratorium on foreign worker quota applications has been extended until further notice.

Also, the last period of the program called 'Recalibration 2.0' for the legalization of illegal foreign workers was till March 31 this year. Saifuddin Nasution has made it clear that it will not be extended.