JOHOR BARU: A total of 492 undocumented immigrant workers were detained during a raid at an automotive components and electronics plant here.
Johor Immigration Department director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation took place on Monday (Oct 12) from 10am until 12.30pm, at the Tebrau industrial area.
He said the joint operation involved the Johor Immigration Department and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).
“The raid was conducted after several weeks of intensive intelligence gathering and tips-off from civilians on foreigners working illegally at the plant,’’ he said in a statement.
Mohd Rusdi said that some of the workers tried to escape by running away or hiding on the premises during the raid, but they managed to be apprehended.
“The 492 illegal migrant workers arrested are aged between 19 and 46 years old,’’ he said.
Mohd Rusdi said those detained were 77 Myanmar males, 170 Bangladeshi men, 48 Nepalese men, 28 Indian national males, and three Pakistani men.
Others were 38 Indonesian men, 66 Myanmar women, two Bangladeshi females, seven Nepalese females, three Indian national women, 49 Indonesian women and a Cambodian female.
“A male manager of the factory was also detained in the operation,’’ he said.
Mohd Rusdi said the illegal foreign workers 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).
“All detainees are now being placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot in Johor Baru for further action,’’ he said.
