JOHOR BARU: Twenty-one undocumented foreign workers were detained in raids involving illegal online gambling centres, rental houses and beauty centres here.
Johor Immigration Department director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the raids were carried out at several locations in Johor Baru at about noon on Tuesday (May 5).
"Fifteen premises and 50 individuals were inspected and 21 illegal foreign workers were detained for activities against the law," he said in a statement.
Mohd Rusdi said some premises selling mobile phones were found to be involved in illegal online gambling activities, while rental houses were used to accommodate foreigners without valid travel documents.
He said the detained foreigners entered Malaysia on social visit passes but abused the passes by working in the country and overstaying.
Mohd Rusdi said those held, aged between 23 and 50, comprised five Indonesian men, 14 Indonesian women and two Myanmar women.
He said they were being investigated for offences under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) and Section 15(1)(c) of the same Act.
"They are now being placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot in Johor Baru for further action," he said, adding that three summonses were issued to witnesses during the raids to assist in investigations.
