Home minister Hamzah Zainudin said 3,460 of those arrested were remanded for further investigation while 23,012 were charged in court.

At a briefing on Facebook Live on challenges faced and measures taken by the home ministry, he said 101,000 police and other enforcement officers were involved in roadblocks and other surveillance efforts.

A total of 2,300 roadblocks were mounted last year, he revealed, adding that nearly 40,000 checks were also conducted on construction sites, business centres and during home surveillance.

He said the ministry had busted 11 syndicates involved in issuing fake documents, illegal immigration passes and other items.

A total of 434 boats were stopped from entering the country’s waters in efforts to stop the movement of illegals, and goods and property worth RM225.6 million were confiscated in nearly 2,000 raids carried out during the period.

Hamzah described 2020 as a year full of challenges for Malaysia, but said it managed to cope with the Covid-19 crisis.

He said the ministry had taken several initiatives during “these unprecedented times”, including strengthening security against drugs and human trafficking.

Bills related to abuse of drugs and the Independent Police Conduct Commission were also tabled in Parliament.

He also said a review of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and Sedition Act was being carried out.

“These reviews are crucial to ensure the laws are effective,” he said.

On future plans, Hamzah said his ministry was focusing on digitalisation in the registration of marriages, births and issuing of MyKad.