ISKANDAR PUTERI: Seven undocumented foreigners were arrested after they were found hiding in the bushes along the coast near Forest City here.
Johor acting police chief Deputy Comm Abdul Latiff Mehat said a team from the Region Two Marine Police was conducting an anti-migrant smuggling patrol at about 12.30am on Monday (Nov 17) when they spotted the group.
“The six men and one woman, all foreign nationals aged between 25 and 45, were hiding in the bushes.
“They were believed to have entered Malaysia through an unauthorised route and were arrested after they failed to produce valid identification documents,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 18).
He said investigations are underway under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering or leaving Malaysia through an unapproved or unregistered route, which carries penalties of up to RM10,000 in fines, up to five years’ jail, or both upon conviction.
The suspects are also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act for not having valid travel documents, an offence that carries a fine of up to RM10,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both, as well as up to six strokes of the cane.
DCP Abdul Latiff urged the public to continue assisting the authorities by channeling information on any unlawful activities to help maintain the country’s security and public order.
