Malaysian Immigration Department detains 9,497 foreigners in nationwide operations, with over 1,000 arrested for visa condition violations
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Immigration Department has detained 9,497 foreigners in nationwide enforcement operations this year.
The arrests were made through 2,618 operations conducted from January 1 to March 9, according to Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.
A total of 1,158 individuals were detained for offences under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for violating their pass conditions.
Zakaria said most were found misusing pass facilities, specifically the Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) and Social Visit Pass (PLS), to conduct activities not aligned with their pass terms.
“The immigration department views seriously the involvement of some foreign nationals detected misusing the PLS to enter as tourists, but instead carrying out work activities at premises such as restaurants or factories,” he said in a statement.
The top five nationalities detained for violating pass conditions were Bangladesh (532), Thailand (248), Indonesia (111), China (86) and Pakistan (51).
Of the 1,158 arrests, 482 individuals were caught for misusing the Social Visit Pass.
This group comprised 235 Thai nationals, followed by Bangladesh (83), China (62), Indonesia (62), Pakistan (13), and 27 others of various nationalities.
“Initial investigations found some of them were actively involved in the management and operation of business premises without valid permission,” Zakaria said.
He stressed that enforcement action would continue to be intensified with no compromise for any foreigner misusing the country’s immigration facilities.
