JOHOR BARU: The Johor Immigration Department detained 37 foreigners, including a minor, during a joint operation with local councils targeting businesses, public areas and worker settlements in Pontian and Kulai.
Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the integrated operation at 10am on Wednesday (Dec 3) was carried out together with the Pontian Municipal Council and Kulai Municipal Council.
“This operation was conducted to curb the presence of undocumented migrants, unregistered employers, and premises that violate licensing conditions and local regulations.
“Comprehensive inspections were carried out to ensure that all foreigners possessed valid documents, while business owners were monitored for illegal hiring practices.
“A total of 37 foreigners were detained for various immigration offences. Those detained are aged between six and 47,” he said here on Friday (Dec 5).
He added that the detainees were five adult men from Indonesia, three adult men from India, nine adult men from Bangladesh, eight adult men from Pakistan, six adult men from Myanmar, one Indonesian boy and five Indonesian women.
Mohd Rusdi said checks found that those detained did not have valid travel documents, had misused their social visit passes or had overstayed their permitted period.
“All of them are suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963,” he added.
Mohd Rusdi also said those detained have been placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot here for further action.
“Johor Immigration will continue mounting consistent and aggressive enforcement operations to curb activities that threaten public safety and security.
“Our close cooperation with local councils demonstrates the state government’s commitment to dismantling networks of lawbreakers and ensuring Pontian and Kulai remain free from harmful elements,” he said.
