KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has busted an illegal transport service used to ferry undocumented foreign workers around Kajang and Putrajaya, detaining 60 individuals during a targeted operation.
The three-hour sting, conducted from 3pm to 6pm on Sept 21, involved 35 officers from the department’s Enforcement Division and Special Tactical Team (Pastak).
Immigration officers intercepted seven vans during the sweep. Inspections revealed that six of the vehicles were driven by foreign nationals—five Bangladeshis and one Indonesian—who lacked valid travel documents or passes. None of the drivers possessed a valid, competent driving licence, with some found using probationary licences.
The drivers claimed they were hired by Malaysian van owners for monthly salaries ranging between RM1,600 and RM1,800. A Malaysian man, who was driving and owned one of the vans, was also arrested on-site.
"The six foreign drivers and the Malaysian owner were detained for investigation under Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63," the department said in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 23).
Checks on the passengers led to the detention of an additional 53 undocumented foreigners, comprising 44 Indonesians (12 men and 32 women), eight Bangladeshi men, and one Myanmar man, aged between 18 and 59.
Investigators believe the workers paid around RM100 a month to commute to and from their workplaces near Kampung Dato’ Abu Bakar Baginda in Kajang and Putrajaya.
All seven vans were seized for suspected involvement in immigration offences. Authorities are currently tracking down the remaining vehicle owners to assist with investigations.
The detained foreigners have been placed at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further action under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passports Act 1966, and the Immigration Regulations 1963. The department warned that enforcement action will extend beyond undocumented migrants to include employers, vehicle owners, and individuals who harbour or facilitate immigration lawbreakers.
