JOHOR BARU: A total of 72 foreign workers were detained for various immigration offences during a joint enforcement operation involving several eateries here.
Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation, conducted with the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and Customs Department, was carried out at about 8pm on Friday.
“The operation, conducted simultaneously at several food premises, found foreigners working without valid permits and those misusing social visit passes.
“Initial checks led to the arrest of 72 foreign workers for various immigration offences,” he said in a statement.
He said those detained comprised 17 Myanmar nationals, 14 Indonesians, 40 Vietnamese and one Chinese national.
“They were employed as restaurant waiters and cooks and were aged between 19 and 46 years old,” he added.
He said the suspects have been placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration depot for further action, and the case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Mohd Rusdi also noted that five Form 29 notices, which are summonses issued to witnesses, were served during the inspection to assist in the investigation.
