NRD detains 31 underage workers using others’ identity cards at Senai factory, part of 117 arrests including 86 foreigners with fraudulent documents
JOHOR BAHRU: Thirty-one minors were detained for working part-time using other people’s identity cards at a box factory in Johor Technology Park, Senai.
National Registration Department Investigation and Enforcement Division director Mohammad Khairu Farhan Md Saad said the group included 16 boys and 15 girls using IDs belonging to family members and others.
“Some had dropped out of school at 12 years old, while others claimed they were working during school holidays,” he told reporters.
The youngest detainee was just 14 years old, with all suspects being under 18.
These minors were among 117 individuals arrested during Ops Kotak, a joint operation between NRD and Johor Immigration Department.
The operation also detained 86 foreign nationals using fraudulent identity documents.
Mohammad Khairu Farhan confirmed all foreign detainees comprised 67 women and 19 men from Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries.
He believed the fraudulent documents were sourced from agents in their home countries.
Fifty-six NRD officers from six states and 30 immigration officers participated in the operation.
All detainees were taken to the NRD office at the Ministry of Home Affairs Complex for further action.
The case will be investigated under Regulation 25(1)(e) of the National Registration Regulations 1990. – Bernama
