PETALING JAYA: Sixty-two foreign nationals were detained in a special enforcement operation in Selangor on suspicion of abusing their immigration passes and violating entry conditions.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation aimed to detect and act on foreigners who misuse their visit passes or breach the accompanying terms.
He said the operation, carried out by the department’s Enforcement Division on Monday (June 15), covered locations in Cyberjaya, Bandar Seri Putra, Bandar Teknologi Kajang, Seri Kembangan, Sepang and Dengkil.
"A team of 30 enforcement officers inspected 17 premises, including furniture factories, timber mills, eateries, grocery shops and hawker areas identified as hotspots for foreign workers.
"The operation was conducted based on intelligence gathering and information from the public," he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 17).
Checks on 210 individuals, comprising Malaysians and foreigners, led to the detention of 62 foreign nationals for suspected offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963, the statement read.
Initial investigations found that some of the detainees abused their visit passes by engaging in employment or activities inconsistent with the purpose of their entry.
In the same operation, 11 witness summonses were issued to employers to assist investigations into the hiring of foreign workers and compliance with immigration laws.
All detainees were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for documentation, investigation and further action, the statement added.
Zakaria also reminded employers to comply with regulations governing the hiring of foreign workers.
"Firm action without compromise will be taken against any individual or employer found to be harbouring, employing or assisting foreigners who violate the conditions of their passes and the country’s immigration laws," he said.
He also urged anyone with information on undocumented migrants or immigration-related offences to notify the department in support of enforcement efforts and to help safeguard national security and sovereignty.
