‘Immigration not deterred by provocation’

GOMBAK: The Immigration Department will not be deterred by the action of a group of men who prevented its officers from carrying out their duties during an operation at Batu Caves on Friday night, said director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud (pic).

Such action in preventing civil servants from performing their designated tasks was a very serious offence, he said.

“Selangor Immigration will lodge a police report on the matter soon.

“We are not shaken by such blatant provocation by those who are harbouring illegal immigrants.

“We decided to retreat in order to prevent any unwanted incident, ” he said in a statement yesterday in reference to a case in which Immigration officers carried out an operation at an illegal business lot, believed to be run by traders from India and Pakistan.

The incident, which has gone viral, saw a group of men surrounding Immigration officers while shouting profanities at them.

The situation became more tense when the group and the officers began shoving each other.

It is learnt that the department’s special tactical unit had to be called in to secure the safety of the officers.

Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Arifai Tarawe said police had yet to receive any report on the incident.

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

He also advised the public not to spread unverified news or information to preserve the harmony among Malaysians.

Since the Thaipusam celebrations, the police had launched operations between Feb 5 and 11 to ensure smooth traffic around Batu Caves, he added.

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

In Ipoh, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said action would be taken against those who backed illegal foreigners doing businesses here.

He said there were a lot of foreigners who were supported by locals as they conducted various trades in the country.

“They come here with social visit passes, but they are trading, which is not allowed.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, ” he said after opening the Rela’s national-level 48th anniversary celebration at the Indera Mulia Stadium yesterday.

Muhyiddin said he believed the officers acted wisely in not escalating the situation. “Obstruction (of duties) is an offence, but fortunately, nothing serious happened, ” he added.