JOHOR BARU: Seventeen foreigners were detained during a joint operation at the Pandan Commercial Centre near here on Wednesday (May 15).
The Ops Bersama (Hotspot) involved the Johor Immigration Department, Johor Baru South police district eadquarters, Johor Baru City Council, and Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Johor Immigration Department acting director Mohd Faizal Shamsudin said the suspects were nabbed at 10.30am.
“The operation was conducted following videos of the foreigners working at the commercial centre going viral on social media,’’ he said in a statement on Thursday (May 16).
Mohd Faizal said the foreigners were found to have been working without work permits, did not possess valid travel documents and had overstayed in Malaysia.
“Ninety-eight people including locals and foreigners were inspected during the operation, with 17 foreigners from four countries apprehended,’’ he added.
Mohd Faizal said those detained were an Indonesian man and woman, two Pakistani men, three Myanmar men and 10 Bangladeshi men aged between 21 and 41 years.
“We have issued notices to assist with the investigation,’’ he said, adding that the council also issued notices on goods sold at the premises.
Mohd Faizal said the undocumented migrants had committed offences under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, as well as Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
He said the department would continue to work closely with other enforcement agencies in Johor to eradicate the influx of undocumented migrants in the state.
Mohd Faizal said Johor Immigration would take stern action against employers and business owners for employing undocumented workers.
“We would like to appeal to (those without papers) to take the opportunity to go back to their home countries voluntarily under the Migrant Repatriation Programme which ends on Dec 31,’’ he said.
