Malaysia will probe allegations of work permit abuse of more than 20,000 Bangladeshis who are believed to have faulty employment passes.

The country's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said if it is found true, the government will take action against the workers, employers and agents.

"If it is true they are abusing such certificates and permits, we will conduct an investigation," he told local newspaper Malaysiakini yesterday.

"We have not finalised the agreement to bring non-expatriates, non semi-skilled and non-skilled workers to Malaysia," he said. "Maybe some agents who brought in these workers were involved in abusing their powers or deceiving the Immigration Department."

He said the Immigration Department only approved permits of expatriates, that is, for those who are semi-skilled and skilled as well as professionals.

Earlier, a Malay daily reported that a syndicate controlled the entry of these Bangladesh nationals over the past two years – each using the name of an expatriate before starting work at restaurants, communication equipment shops, massage centres and security guards.