This article explores the relationship between overall and categorised migration policies and both documented and undocumented migration flows in Malaysia. It introduces and empirically deploys quantitative policy indicators to estimate the impact of policy changes on migrant inflows. Tightening of migration policies overall—especially border and integration policies—increases rather than reduces immigration, principally through undocumented migration. The gap between policy intent and migration outcomes suggests that Malaysia would benefit from policies that make formal migration more attractive. The article advances understanding of migration policy influence while offering a methodology for analysing iterative policy changes that could be replicated elsewhere.
Stewart Nixon (2025) studied this question.