Some of the foreign workers inspected during the raid - PIC COURTESY OF IMMIGRATION DEPT
PUCHONG: The Immigration Department raided 24 business premises monopolised by foreigners around Puchong and detained 94 individuals on Wednesday.
Its director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation, which began at 10.30am, involved 54 officers of various ranks from the headquarters’ enforcement division.
He said the foreign-run business premises included grocery stores, food and beverage outlets, hair salons, car wash centres, and clothing retailers.
"Based on intelligence gathered over two days, we found that these foreign-monopolised businesses operate without fear or concern for ongoing enforcement activities by the relevant authorities.
“These foreign nationals are believed to be earning wages ranging from RM50 a day to RM1,500 a month,” he said in a statement.
He said the salary rate also depends on their working hours.
"A total of 370 individuals were inspected during the operation, comprising 247 foreign men, 85 foreign women, and 38 Malaysians.
“The enforcement team arrested 72 foreign men and 22 foreign women aged between 23 and 35, from Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Yemen, Vietnam, Egypt, Palestine, and India, for various immigration offences,” he said.
Zakaria said the offences identified included failure to produce identification documents, overstaying, misuse of permits, and other violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, and Immigration Regulations 1963.
“All detainees have been placed at the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot for further investigation and action.”
He said the department will continue to take firm action against any parties found to have committed offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
2025-04-25T05:56:00Z
Source: New Straits Times