KUALA LUMPUR: The Shah Alam High Court sentenced a 41-year-old local man to 18 months in jail for trafficking two Indonesian migrants earlier this year.
He was sentenced under Section 26J of the Anti‑Trafficking in Persons and Anti‑Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
Immigration director general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the Department’s Intelligence and Special Operations Division detained the man during a special operation.
The operation was conducted jointly with the Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) division.
“The operation took place on August 29 at Jalan Taman Putra Kajang in Kajang,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 15).
“During the raid, the suspect and two Indonesian migrants were found inside a vehicle,” he added.
He said the conviction reflects the department’s firm and ongoing commitment to combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
“The department will not hesitate to take legal action against any individual, syndicate, employer or premises owner who hires, shelters or conspires with illegal immigrants,” he said.
Zakaria added that this includes foreign nationals who enter or remain in the country without valid permission.
He urged the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious cross border criminal activities.
“Any involvement, whether direct or indirect, in migrant smuggling or human trafficking is a serious offence and will result in legal action,” he said.
Zakaria reminded the public not to protect or assist those who violate immigration laws and to comply with all regulations.
“Information on illegal activities can be channelled through the department’s official complaint platforms,” he added.
