Taken in: The illegal immigrants who were nabbed in the integrated operation in Selayang Baru.
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 843 illegal immigrants were detained in an integrated operation in Selayang Baru after being suspected of committing various offences under the Immigration Act.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is also the chairman of the State Security Committee, said they consisted of 808 men and 35 women aged 21 to 53, involving Indonesians, Bangladeshis, Indians, Myanmar, Nepalese and Pakistanis.
“This operation was carried out after receiving complaints from the community about the influx of foreign workers, including those operating businesses on the side of the road.
“Intelligence was conducted before the inspection was carried out,” he said at a press conference after participating in the operation on Saturday evening.
Amirudin said similar operations had also been carried out previously in Seri Muda, Selangor Wholesale Market and several other locations.
Also participating in the operation were Immigration Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli, Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar and Selangor Immigration director Khairul Aminus Kamaruddin as well as 358 members of various agencies.
The operation also arrested two locals on suspicion of drug abuse, Amirudin said, Bernama reported.
He said all those arrested were suspected of not having identification documents, violating pass conditions, overstaying and using unrecognised documentation, along with other immigration offences, and were taken to the Semenyih Immigration Depot for further investigation.
Commenting on the claim that the low rental cost attracted foreigners to live in Selayang Baru, Amirudin said this factor was more driven by demand and supply as well as its proximity to the city centre, and is the focus of trade activities and daily jobs.
Amirudin said the previous integrated operation at the Selangor Wholesale Market also had a positive impact on the community.
“This operation will continue to detect, arrest, prosecute and deport foreigners who violate the law, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966, the Immigration Regulations 1963 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007,” he said.
Amirudin also issued a warning to employers to use legal channels when employing foreign workers to avoid disruption of business operations and ensure national security.
