Aggressive bid to escape foiled by Immigration

MELAKA: Five illegal immigrants from India and Pakistan became aggressive and tried to escape in several Ops Selera and Ops Pintu raids by the Melaka Immigration Department around the city here.

Melaka Immigration director Anirwan Fauzee Mohd Aini said 26 illegal immigrants were arrested during the raids at food courts, restaurants and foreign workers’ accommodations.

“The (five) foreigners acted aggressively towards enforcement officers in their bid to escape and they were willing to put themselves in danger by running towards a road, but all were arrested.

“In the operation that ended at 1.30am yesterday, a total of 72 foreigners were screened and 26 were arrested. They were between two and 54 years old. They included 22 men, three women and a minor,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Anirwan Fauzee added that those arrested comprised 13 Myanmar nationals, Indians (five), Indonesians (five), Bangladeshi (two) and a Pakistani national.

The raids involved 20 members of the Melaka Immigration Department and followed public complaints, he said.

Anirwan Fauzee, reported Bernama, also said all those nabbed did not have valid documents or work permits.

He said the offences included not having any identification documents, overstaying in the country, expired temporary employment visit passes and other offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155).

He added that three witness summons forms were also issued to the employers’ representatives to assist in investigations.

Meanwhile the Melaka Immigration Department will also track down employers who are found to be employing foreigners illegally for further action.

“The main objective of the operation was to detect and combat the influx of foreigners, especially illegal immigrants, and also to identify and track any individual who tries to protect and exploit them for a profit.”