GEORGE TOWN: A series of joint operations between the Immigration Department and other agencies will be conducted to flush out undocumented immigrants here.
State environment and welfare committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said he held a meeting with representatives of the various agencies yesterday to address the issue.
“We have identified a few places, especially in Komtar and its surroundings and the Goddess of Mercy temple along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.
“It would be easier to round them up and check their documents while they are sleeping or resting at night.
“During the day time, they would run away upon seeing the raiding teams,” said Phee, adding that such operations were carried out monthly except during the various phases of movement control orders.
In Kedah, the Immigration Department screened 114 foreign workers, including 41 women during a six-hour operation in the Sungai Muda area.
Its deputy director (Control) Rosmaliza Mohamed Rashid said the operation codenamed Ops Mahir was conducted after the expiry of the recalibration programme on June 30.
She said 30 men and 14 women, aged between 24 and 63, were found to have committed various offences.
“They were factory workers whose documents had expired.
“These workers from Myanmar, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Indonesia did not have valid visas or documents,” she said.
The July 1 operation also saw some 30 illegal immigrants fleeing into a forest near their workplace in Bukit Selambau, Kedah.
Those involved were seen climbing and jumping over a fence that separated the factory and the forest areas to avoid being caught.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had said action would be taken against those who committed any offence after the expiry of the recalibration programme on June 30.
He said the government had given the foreigners ample time to return home and that the Immigration Department would conduct large-scale operations to nab undocumented foreigners after the end of the programme.
