JOHOR BARU: A total of 72 foreign nationals and three local employers were arrested by the Johor Immigration Department for various immigration offences during two separate operations on Thursday (Jan 16).
Its director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the first operation was conducted under, “Ops Mahir” and “Ops Sapu,” between 10am and 7.30pm.
“Enforcement teams comprising officers from the Johor Immigration Enforcement Division, branch units in Muar, Batu Pahat, and Segamat, as well as officers from Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and the Melaka Immigration Department, targeted nine premises in Muar.
“Following public complaints about foreign nationals working without valid permits or travel documents, 374 individuals, including locals, were screened.
“This led to the arrest of 16 Bangladeshi men, 26 Myanmar men and six women, and two Pakistani men aged between 21 and 42,” he said in a statement here on Saturday (Jan 18).
He added that the detainees were suspected of violating the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963. Six notices were issued to individuals for further investigation.
“All detainees are now being held at the Pekan Nenas Immigration Depot for further action,” he said.
Later the same day, at 7.10pm, a separate operation called “Ops Gegar” targeted illegal activities at massage and reflexology centres in Batu Pahat.
“The operation, prompted by public complaints, involved officers from the Johor Immigration Enforcement Division and Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, who raided four premises and screened 64 individuals.
“Arrests were made, including 20 Thai women, one Myanmar woman, and one Indonesian woman, all aged between 20 and 42,” he added.
Mohd Rusdi added that one local woman aged 70, and two local men aged 41 were also arrested.
The foreign nationals were detained for suspected violations of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963, while the three local employers were arrested under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for harbouring undocumented migrants.
Six notices were issued for further investigation, and all detainees have been placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot.
Mohd Rusdi added that the Johor Immigration Department has identified widespread abuse of entry permits by foreign nationals, including engaging in illegal employment and immoral activities.
He also reiterated that the department would take uncompromising action against employers and premises owners who flout immigration laws by hiring undocumented workers or operating illicit businesses.
