KUALA LUMPUR: Raids on two bus and train terminals have foiled attempts to smuggle Indonesian migrants into the country.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operations were conducted
simultaneously at the Terminal Bersepadu Gombak and the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan on Saturday (April 25).
"Officers tracked the arrival of a group of Indonesian nationals travelling to the Klang Valley from Kelantan via express buses.
"At Terminal Bersepadu Gombak, two Indonesian men and two women were detained. Also arrested was a male compatriot believed to be acting as a transporter, responsible for coordinating the migrants’ movements and logistics in Kuala Lumpur," he said in a statement on Sunday.
At Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, three Indonesian men and three women, believed to be linked to the same syndicate, were also detained, he said.
"A vehicle used by the transporter to move migrants to their next destination was seized," he added.
Zakaria said investigations show that the syndicate had shifted from using sea routes in Selangor waters to a more circuitous, multi-layered approach involving both air and land routes to avoid enforcement.
"Many of the migrants were believed to have been blacklisted from entering Malaysia, prompting the syndicate to avoid direct flights into the country.
He said at least one route moved migrants from Indonesia via Singapore and then to Hat Yai, Thailand. "Some were also believed to have transited through Kuala Lumpur International Airport before continuing to Hat Yai," he said.
Upon arrival in Hat Yai, the migrants were placed in safe houses before being smuggled into Kelantan through illegal entry points along the Thailand–Malaysia border near Bukit Bunga, Tanah Merah, he said.
"After entering Malaysia, the migrants were transported to the capital using express buses from various companies, typically travelling overnight to avoid detection.
"The syndicate, believed to be masterminded by an Indonesian national, operated through a network of intermediaries based in Hat Yai. Each agent had a specific role, including managing arrivals, arranging accommodation, and falsifying passport entry stamps to mislead authorities," he explained.
Zakaria said the network operated in a layered structure, limiting direct contact between migrants and syndicate members to reduce the risk of detection.
"All detained foreigners, aged between 27 and 60, are believed to have paid between RM3,500 and RM4,000 each to secure illegal entry into Malaysia.
"We also believe that local individuals may have been involved in assisting the syndicate, including purchasing bus tickets and coordinating travel logistics. Efforts are ongoing to identify and track down those involved," he added.
All detainees have been placed at an immigration detention depot to assist investigations under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
"We are committed to combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities," he said.
"The public is also reminded not to harbour, collude with, or assist individuals involved in immigration offences, as firm action will be taken without compromise.
Information can be channelled to the department’s ATIPSOM and AMLA Prevention Division hotline at 03-8880 1471 or via email at urusetia_p@imi.gov.my," he said.
