IPOH: A popular eatery in Canning Garden here has been raided, with 12 undocumented migrants arrested by the Immigration Department.
Its Perak deputy director Sharmanrizal Rustam said those arrested during the operation between 8.15am and 9.30am on Friday (Feb 23) comprised 11 Myanmar men and one Indonesian woman.
"Checks were conducted at the eatery and the first floor of the building, which was the restaurant workers' quarters.
"The undocumented migrants were busy working and were unaware of our team's presence," he said in a statement.
Sharmanrizal said those detained would be investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not having valid passes to be in the country.
"They will also be investigated under Section 15(1)(c) of the same Act for overstaying and Rule 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations for violating visit pass conditions," he said.
"The matter will also be investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and Passport Act 1966," he added.
Sharmanrizal said the employer and owner of the premises will be investigated for allowing the undocumented migrants to be on the grounds.
"Stern action will be taken against them if they are found to have committed wrongdoings.
"Legal action can be taken against employers or individuals who employ or shelter undocumented migrants," he said, urging the public to continue providing information on such cases.
