KUALA LUMPUR: Sixteen foreign nationals and a local man were detained in two separate special operations in Johor earlier this week, uncovering abuse of immigration passes and manipulation of the online application system for foreign domestic helpers.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operations, carried out on March 2 and 3, were conducted by the department’s Intelligence and Special Operations Division from its Putrajaya headquarters in collaboration with the Johor Immigration Department.
He said the operations were launched after two months of detailed intelligence gathering and continuous monitoring using a “smart enforcement” approach.
“In the first operation on March 2 around Taman Setia Tropika in Johor Baru, the enforcement team detained 11 foreign nationals.
"Those arrested comprised eight Thai women, two Vietnamese women and a Vietnamese man," he said in a statement on Thursday (March 5).
Initial checks found that some individuals had overstayed and were abusing their Social Visit Pass (PLS) and Temporary work permits for foreign workers (PLKS) under the Foreign Domestic Helper category by working as hostesses at an entertainment outlet.
"We also seized foreign passports, digital recording equipment, mobile phones and RM3,025 in cash believed to be proceeds from the activity," he added.
Zakaria said the premises were believed to have been offering foreign hostess services for as low as RM250 and had been operating for about a year.
In the second operation on March 3 around Batu Pahat, Skudai and Johor Baru, Immigration officers dismantled a syndicate suspected of abusing the Maid Online System (SMO) application facility.
"Five foreign women were detained - four Vietnamese nationals and one Indonesian - along with a local man believed to be the mastermind of the syndicate.
"Investigations revealed that the group had allegedly submitted false information and documents to obtain PLKS under the foreign domestic helper category for individuals who did not meet the eligibility requirements.
“The syndicate is believed to have charged RM6,000 for each application,” he said.
The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963, including Sections 6(3), 15(1)(c) and 56(1)(k).
"All those detained were taken to the Setia Tropika Immigration Office in Johor for further action, while several Malaysians have been issued notices to assist in the investigation," he said.
Zakaria said the success of the two operations showed that the department was intensifying enforcement not only on the ground but also through digital monitoring to prevent manipulation of the country’s immigration system.
“We will not compromise with any party that attempts to abuse immigration facilities.
“Legal action will be taken without exception to safeguard the integrity of the system and national security,” he said.
He also urged members of the public to channel information to the authorities if they have knowledge of activities that violate immigration laws.
