JOHOR BARU: A total of 155 foreigners were detained in a joint operation codenamed Ops Bersama at the Pandan Wholesale Market near here on Tuesday (July 7).
Johor Immigration Department director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation involved the department and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).
“The three-hour operation started at 10am and ended at 1pm, targeting business premises run by illegal immigrants,’’ he said in a statement.
Mohd Rusdi said the operation was conducted following public complaints, intelligence gathering, and monitoring by both agencies.
He said inspections of the travel documents, social visit pass and permits were done on the spot to ensure the foreigners complied with the country’s laws and regulations.
“Thirty-six 36 premises at the wholesale market and its surrounding areas,’’ said Mohd Rusdi, adding that two locals who worked as the premises caretakers were also detained.
He said the foreigners detained were 56 Indonesian men, 39 Myanmar men, 35 Bangladeshi men, 10 Pakistani males, a Vietnamese male, a mainland Chinese man, a Myanmar boy, six Indonesian women, five Myanmar women and a Vietnamese woman.
“Those apprehended aged between 10 and 49 years old were either working at the business premises or customers patronising the premises,’’ said Mohd Rusdi.
He said they have committed 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 Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155).
“The illegal foreigners are now being placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot in Johor Baru and eight notices were issued to witnesses to assist with the investigation and further action,’’ said Mohd Rusdi.
