Immigration Dept not deterred by provocation at Batu Caves, says D-G

GOMBAK: The Immigration Department will not be deterred by the group of men who prevented their officers from carrying out an operation at Batu Caves on Friday (Feb 14) night, says Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud (pic).

The Department's director-general said that Selangor Immigration will be lodging a police report on the matter soon, adding that preventing civil servants from carrying out their designated duties is a very serious offence.

"We are not shaken by such blatant provocation from those who are harbouring illegal immigrants. We decided to retreat in order to prevent any unwanted incident from occurring," he said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 15).

Khairul Dzaimee was commenting on an incident where Immigration officers were carrying out an operation at an illegal business lot believed to be run by traders from India and Pakistan.

In the incident, a group of men surrounded Immigration officers while shouting profanities at them.

The situation became more tense when the group and the officers began shoving each other, and it is learned that the Department's special tactical unit had to be called in to secure safety of the officers.

Meanwhile, Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Arifai Tarawe said police have yet to receive any report regarding the incident.

"However, we will investigate. Stern action will be taken through Ops Cantas if it is discovered those involved were part of a criminal gang," he said when contacted.

He also advised the public not to spread any unverified news or information to preserve the harmony between Malaysians of various races and backgrounds.

Since the Thaipusam celebrations, the police have launched operations between Feb 5 and Feb 11 to ensure the safety and smoothness of traffic around Batu Caves, he added.

"Police personnel from the Gombak district police headquarters have arrested 76 people for various offences, including criminal intimidation, extortion and parking illegally. We had the cooperation of various agencies to ensure the celebrations went on without any untoward incident," he said.