KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 52 foreigners were detained during raids on seven entertainment outlets in the Dang Wangi district here early Saturday (Oct 3).
The operation, codenamed Ops Gegar, began at 1.30am and involved 74 enforcement officers from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department, assisted by 18 officers from the department's Special Tactical Team (PASTAK).
Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department director Datuk Hamsha Injau said the raids were conducted following intelligence gathering and public tip-offs about foreigners suspected of working illegally and abusing their visit passes.
A total of 170 individuals were checked during the operation, with 23 men and 29 women among those detained for various immigration offences.
"Those detained are suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passports Act 1966 and Immigration Regulations 1963, including not possessing valid travel documents, overstaying and breaching the conditions of their passes," Hamsha said in a statement on Saturday.
Five notices summoning witnesses were also issued to representatives of the premises to assist in further investigations.
All detainees were taken to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot for documentation and further investigation.
Hamsha said the department would not compromise with premises operators or employers found to be harbouring or employing undocumented migrants.
He added that enforcement operations would continue to be intensified to ensure compliance with immigration laws and safeguard national security.
