KULIM: A total of 129 undocumented migrants were arrested during an immigration raid at a commercial building construction site here on Wednesday (July 29).
The operation, carried out by the Kedah Immigration Department under Ops Sapu, targeted the construction site following intelligence gathering and public information.
Kedah Immigration said a 20-member enforcement team from its Immigration Action Unit conducted the raid, which began at 10am.
A total of 159 people were inspected, comprising 30 Malaysians and 129 foreign nationals.
All 129 foreigners were detained for suspected offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
The department said the alleged offences included not possessing valid travel documents or passes, overstaying and breaching the conditions of their immigration passes.
Those detained comprised 125 men and four women, aged 21 to 62.
They included 100 Bangladeshis, 11 Pakistanis, 10 Indonesians and eight Myanmar nationals.
During the operation, some of the migrants attempted to flee after spotting enforcement officers and hid in various parts of the construction site, including on upper levels of the unfinished building.
However, enforcement personnel managed to bring the situation under control and detained all the suspects while complying with standard operating procedures and prioritising safety.
The detainees have been taken to the Belantik Immigration Depot for documentation, investigations and further action.
The department also issued one Imm.29 notice to summon a witness to assist in the investigation.
Kedah Immigration said it would continue stepping up enforcement operations to curb the presence of undocumented migrants and ensure compliance with the country's immigration laws.
It also reminded employers not to hire or harbour foreigners without valid travel documents or work passes, warning that stern action would be taken against those found violating the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The public has been urged to channel information on undocumented migrants or immigration-related offences to the Immigration Department through its official complaint channels.
