Digital technologies and migration management in Malaysia: The technology-migration nexus

This paper suggests that the use of digital and biometric technology in migration management creates an ecosystem that may mitigate the risks of unethical recruitment, malpractices by intermediaries, immigration law infringement, labor rights abuse and irregular migration. Digitalization is essential for migration governance, as it eliminates intermediaries, prevents exploitation by agents, reduces recruiting expenses, expedites the recruitment process and combats human trafficking. Using Malaysia as a case study, this research explores the technology-migration nexus and analyzes the state’s battle against irregular migrants in two aspects: Interior enforcement and foreign worker management. Digital technologies implemented with labor law reforms have facilitated an orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration as outlined in SDG 10.7.