JOHOR BARU: The Johor Immigration Department has detained 35 foreign workers suspected of working illegally and misusing social visit passes.
Its director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the "Ops Selera" raid was conducted at 8.30pm on Saturday (Oct 12) at a street food festival in Johor Baru.
"Our enforcement officers raided over 52 stalls at the festival after receiving public tip-offs about foreigners believed to be working without valid permits or abusing social visit passes.
"During the operation, a total of 102 individuals, both foreign and local, were inspected.
"Some of the workers attempted to flee, but our officers' swift action ensured all foreign nationals were apprehended," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 14).
Those detained were 20 men and six women from Thailand, as well as eight men and one woman from Indonesia, aged between 19 and 55.
The detainees are suspected of multiple immigration violations, including misuse of social visit passes under Regulation 11(7)(a) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, illegal entry into Malaysia under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and overstaying their visas, an offence under Section 15(1)(c) of the same Act.
Additionally, the department issued five notices requiring individuals to report to their office to assist with ongoing investigations.
Mohd Rusdi said the department remains committed to clamping down on foreigners who misuse visas or permits to reside and work in Malaysia.
He also said the department would take strict action against employers and premises owners who hire foreign workers without proper travel documents or valid work permits.
