Sixty-two foreigners were detained after the Immigration Department raided 17 premises in Selangor suspected of being linked to pass abuse and breaches of immigration conditions.
PETALING JAYA: Sixty-two foreigners were detained after the Immigration Department raided 17 premises in Selangor suspected of being linked to pass abuse and breaches of immigration conditions.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the special operation was carried out on June 15 around Cyberjaya, Bandar Seri Putra, Bandar Teknologi Kajang, Seri Kembangan, Sepang and Dengkil.
He said the operation, involving 30 officers, was conducted following intelligence and public information on foreigners suspected of misusing passes granted by the government.
The premises inspected included furniture factories, sawmills, eateries, grocery shops and hawker areas identified as foreigner hotspots.
“The results of checks on 210 individuals comprising locals and foreigners found that 62 foreigners were detained on suspicion of committing various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963,” he said in a statement.
Initial investigations found that some of the foreigners detained are believed to have misused their pass facilities by carrying out work or activities that were not in line with the original purpose of their entry into the country.
“This is a serious breach of pass conditions and action can be taken under the immigration laws in force,” he said.
Zakaria said 11 witness summons forms were also issued to employers to assist further investigations into employment practices and compliance with immigration laws.
All detainees were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for documentation, investigation and further action.
He warned employers against hiring, harbouring or assisting foreigners who breach their pass conditions.
“Strict action without compromise will be taken against any individual or employer found to be protecting, employing or assisting foreigners who violate pass conditions and immigration regulations,” he said.
The department added that enforcement operations nationwide will continue to be intensified to combat pass abuse, misuse of immigration facilities and other immigration offences.
The public has also been urged to channel information on illegal immigrants or immigration breaches to the authorities.
