Malaysia Immigration Compound Fine Explained

If you are caught overstaying in Malaysia or are flagged at an immigration checkpoint, you may be required to pay a compound fine before you are allowed to depart. Here is what you need to know.

What is a compound fine

A compound fine (kompaun in Malay) is a financial penalty imposed by the Immigration Department for violating immigration rules, most commonly for overstaying. It is essentially a settlement that allows you to resolve the offence without going to court.

How much is it

The compound amount varies depending on the length of overstay and the circumstances. There is no single fixed rate published by the Immigration Department for individual overstay cases. In practice, fines can range from a few hundred ringgit for very short overstays to several thousand ringgit for longer ones. The exact amount is determined by the enforcement officer and is at the discretion of the Immigration Department.

What happens if you do not pay

If you cannot or do not pay the compound, the case may be referred for prosecution under the Immigration Act 1959/63. Prosecution can result in a court-imposed fine, imprisonment, or both. For male offenders, caning is a possible penalty under certain provisions.

Compound fine vs blacklist

A compound fine and a blacklist are separate consequences. You can receive one without the other, or both. Paying the compound does not guarantee the blacklist will be lifted. If you have been blacklisted in addition to being fined, you will need to submit a formal appeal to have the blacklist removed.

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