PETALING JAYA: A total of 59 foreigners were arrested after Immigration officers raided eight business premises across Selangor on Thursday (Nov 12).
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation conducted at 1pm followed two weeks of intelligence gathering and public tip-offs on suspicion of undocumented migrants using the premises as hideouts to evade detection.
“Initial investigations found that some foreigners were believed to have been using business premises as accommodation and shelter to avoid detection by the authorities,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Zakaria said 152 individuals were screened during the operation, comprising 75 Malaysians and 77 foreigners.
“Of the 59 foreigners detained, 53 were men, and six were women.
“They were suspected of various immigration offences, including not possessing valid travel documents, overstaying and misusing their passes," he added.
He said three individuals at the raid locations were also issued Form 29 summonses as witnesses to assist in further investigations.
“All those detained have been placed at Immigration depots for investigation and further action under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963,” he said.
Zakaria said the department would continue intensifying intelligence gathering, monitoring and enforcement operations to identify foreigners violating immigration laws, including those taking shelter in business premises.
He added that employers, premises owners and other parties found to be employing, accommodating or sheltering undocumented migrants could also face action, subject to investigations and existing laws.
“Immigration will not compromise on any violation of immigration laws and will continue enforcement operations to ensure compliance with the country’s laws and regulations,” he said.
