Malaysian State Immigration Detains 235 Foreigners

Malaysian State Immigration Department Detains 235 Illegal Immigrants in Series of Raids.

In a series of coordinated operations, the Jahor, Malaysian State Immigration has apprehended 235 illegal immigrants across multiple locations. The raids, conducted over several days, targeted individuals residing and working in the state without valid documentation.

Johor Immigration Director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus revealed that the largest operation took place in Batu Pahat, where 105 undocumented migrants were detained during a raid on a workers’ accommodation facility in the early hours of Sunday, February 16. The operation was initiated following public tip-offs regarding the presence of foreigners living and working illegally in the area.

“During the raid, we inspected the documents of 329 foreign nationals and detained 98 men from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and India, as well as seven Indonesian women,” Mohd Rusdi stated in a press release on Monday, February 17.

In addition to the Batu Pahat operation, the department carried out separate raids beginning late Friday, February 14, resulting in the detention of 130 more foreigners and two employers. These operations targeted 18 business premises, including factories and construction workers’ accommodations in Johor Bahru, where 90 undocumented individuals were apprehended.

Further enforcement actions in Batu Pahat, Mersing, Muar, and Segamat led to the arrest of 40 foreign nationals and two local men for various immigration-related offenses. The detainees, who were found working in reflexology centers and other businesses, hailed from China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

According to Mohd Rusdi, the detained individuals ranged in age from 18 to 55 years old. They have been transferred to the Pekan Nanas Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Immigration Act. Additionally, the department issued 12 notices to summon witnesses to assist in ongoing investigations.

Mohd Rusdi emphasized the department’s commitment to cracking down on immigration violations, stating, “We will continue to take strict action against individuals who overstay or work in the country without valid permits, as well as against employers who hire undocumented workers.”

The operations underscore the state’s efforts to enforce immigration laws and address the issue of illegal labor, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and safeguarding national security.

Source: The Star