The National Security Council (MKN) will cooperate with state governments in the effort to weed out illegal foreign workers, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

He said the cooperation included getting local authorities to monitor business premises especially food stalls employing foreigners.

"I know many foreigners obtained UNHCR cards from the black market to enable them work in the country. These are among the problems to be tackled," Shahidan told reporters here today.

He was met after opening a rest area named after him at the Perlis Malay Chambers of Commerce (DPMP) business site in Padang Besar.

In another development, Shahidan said he would be appealing to the Perlis government to return the Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) on a 4.5 acre plot next to Dataran Niaga Padang Besar to DPMP after it was withdrawn in 2008.

He said the land was given to DPMP when he was Perlis Menteri Besar in 2002 as a business site for Bumiputera traders as well as a car park.