JOHOR BARU: A total of 123 undocumented immigrant workers were detained in several operations on two consecutive days near here.
Johor Immigration Department director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operations were conducted on Tuesday (Sept 1) and Wednesday.
“Some 21 premises were inspected during the raids which started at 11am and ended at 1pm,’’ he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 3).
Mohd Rusdi said the targeted business premises were dim sum eateries, car service and workshop outlets, laundries and reflexology centres.
He said the premises were found to have committed offences by employing foreign workers without valid travel documents and work permits.
Mohd Rusdi said the foreigners detained were 47 and 27 Myanmar men and women, five Bangladeshi males, 10 and 14 Indonesian men and women, five Pakistani males, six Nepalese, a mainland Chinese man and seven women from China and a Vietnamese woman.
“Those apprehended were aged between 20 and 50 years old; the seven Chinese women were working as cooks, waitresses and masseuses and also customers at the premises,’’ he said.
Mohd Rusdi added six Malaysians working as managers of the inspected premises were also detained in the raids.
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 13 notices were issued to witnesses to assist with investigation and further action,’’ said Mohd Rusdi.
