KUALA LUMPUR: More than 100 undocumented foreigners have been arrested in an integrated operation codenamed Ops Sapu, says the Immigration Department.
Its deputy director-general (operation) Jafri Embok Taha said 224 officers and enforcement personnel from various agencies, led by the department, raided 30 premises in Jalan Thamby Abdullah, Brickfields.
The operation began at about 1pm until 3pm on New Year’s Day.
“We inspected 370 foreigners after raiding the premises. Among those checked were 174 Indian nationals, 36 Pakistanis, 21 Sri Lankans and 30 Indonesians,” he told reporters yesterday.
ALSO READ : 477 held in raids on 70 entertainments outlets
The exact number of those held will be finalised after further screening at the Immigration headquarters.
Some foreigners being taken for processing at the Immigration Department. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star/Bernama
“Those detained will be placed at the Immigration depot in Semenyih. The operation went well except for a few foreigners attempting to escape.
“We cordoned off the area and foiled their escape,” said Jafri Embok.
Among the offences were not having personal documentation, overstaying and abuse of passes.
The area was raided as the department had received complaints from the public about the large number of illegals.
“Such operations will be conducted continuously. We have also identified other areas around the country,” he added.
“The department’s focus this year is to go after employers and individuals who harbour undocumented foreigners. We urge the public not to harbour illegals as it is a major offence.”
Busted in Brickfields: Immigration personnel in action apprehending illegal suspects on the first day of the new year.
On another matter, Jafri Embok said the registration for the Workforce Recalibration Programme (RTK 2.0) ended on Dec 31.
“After this, a verification process will be conducted until March 31.
“After March 31, action will be taken against foreign workers who have not gone through the verification process, and only show their RTK card.
“I emphasise that there will be no new registration for the programme beyond Dec 31,” he said.
Commenting on the recent raid in Jalan Silang here, Jafri Embok said most of the foreigners there and Lebuh Pudu now have proper documents.
“Most of them have full documentation such as temporary work permits for foreign workers (PLKS) and RTK 2.0.
“Both locations are the main areas to meet their countrymen,” he said.
On hotspots for undocumented foreigners revealed by the police recently, Jafri Embok said the department is working with the police to take further action.
On Dec 21, more than 1,100 illegal immigrants were detained after a massive multi-agency sweep.
The large-scale operation in Jalan Silang involved 1,138 officers and personnel from the Internal Security and Public Order Department’s General Operations Force and the Federal Reserve Unit, along with the Immigration and Customs Departments.
Contraband, including 100 cartons of cigarettes, 80 cartons of alcoholic beverages, and illegal medicines worth RM104,530, were seized.
