JOHOR BARU: Four eateries at a well-known shopping mall here were raided by the Immigration Department in an operation that led to the arrest of 19 foreign workers for various immigration offences.
Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation, dubbed Ops Selera, was carried out on Monday (Feb 23) beginning at noon.
He added that the simultaneous raids targeted several food premises around here and involved 25 enforcement officers from the state Immigration Department’s enforcement division.
“The operation was conducted following public tip-offs and intelligence gathered by the department.
“During the operation, two local men believed to be working as premises managers were also detained to assist investigations,” he said here on Tuesday (Feb 24).
Mohd Rusdi also said during the operation, action was taken against a food outlet operated by foreigners serving Indian cuisine.
“Initial inspections found that 19 foreign workers were detained for suspected immigration violations.
“They comprised 11 adult men from Myanmar, one adult man from Indonesia, one adult woman from Indonesia and six women from Myanmar,” he added.
Mohd Rusdi said all were working as restaurant servers and cooks, aged between 19 and 49 years old.
He added the detainees are suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“All those detained have been placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot for further investigation and action,” he said.
Mohd Rusdi added that three Form 29 notices, which are summonses issued to witnesses, were also served during the inspection process to facilitate investigations.
He expressed appreciation to members of the public who had channelled information and shown concern over issues involving foreign nationals.
Mohd Rusdi said the department welcomes any information related to offences such as harbouring undocumented migrants, human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
“In line with the aspirations of the Madani government, the department will continue to intensify enforcement operations against foreigners who violate immigration laws.
“We will not compromise with any employer, premises owner or individual found hiring or harbouring undocumented migrants,” he said.
He added that strict action would be taken against those found breaching immigration regulations as part of ongoing efforts to uphold the law and safeguard public order.
