SEREMBAN: The Immigration Department has detained 142 undocumented foreigners in a three-day operation in Kuala Pilah, says its state director Kennith Tan Aik Kiang.
He said a total of 315 foreigners were screened during the operation, which started on June 28.
"We decided to focus on Kuala Pilah this time as we believe many undocumented foreigners have moved here after repeated operations in Seremban and Nilai.
"The foreigners were detained at 34 premises inspected by my men over the three-day period," he said in a statement.
Tan said the foreigners were detained for violating provisions in the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Of those detained, 71 were Indonesians, Bangladeshis (32), Myanmar nationals (26), Pakistanis (six), Cambodians (five) and Indian nationals (two).
"Twenty-four women were among those nabbed during the operation," he said, adding that those nabbed were aged between 21 and 54.
He said some of the undocumented foreigners tried to escape or hide but were caught.
Tan said the foreigners have been sent to the Immigration depot in Lenggeng while the department completes investigations.
"We have also issued 19 notices to employers and caretakers of premises where they were caught to assist in investigations.
"We would also like to thank members of the public who had alerted the department of the presence of the undocumented foreigners in the area," he said.
He also reminded employers and the public not to hire or harbour any undocumented foreigner as action can be taken against them.
