JOHOR BARU: A total of 27 foreign workers from four countries have been arrested in an operation targeting food premises here.
Johor immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation, involving five premises, was conducted on Friday (May 8) following public tip-offs and intelligence gathered regarding illegal foreign workers.
“The operation was conducted after we learned that there are still local employers daring enough to hire and protect foreign nationals without valid travel documents and work permits.
“Further checks during the operation led to the arrest of 27 foreign workers for various immigration offences,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
Mohd Rusdi said those detained comprised 24 Myanmar nationals, one Bangladeshi national, one Pakistani national and one Nepalese national aged between 19 and 46.
“Those arrested are believed to have been working as restaurant waiters and cooks,” he said, adding that they are being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Mohd Rusdi said all detainees had been placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot for further investigation and action.
He added that three Form 29 notices, which are summonses issued to witnesses, were also issued during the operation to assist investigations.
“There will be no compromise against any party found turning business premises into a ‘hotbed’ for employing illegal immigrants,” he said.
