KUALA LUMPUR: A group of foreigners was seen fleeing in panic and attempting to climb onto rooftops when their unauthorised settlement in Sentul was raided by the authorities.
The illegal settlement is thought to have existed for four years before officers from the Immigration Department and other enforcement agencies raided it yesterday.
Immigration director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said a total of 124 foreigners were inspected during the operation.
“A total of 95 Myanmar nationals, 21 Indian nationals, three Indonesians, and several other foreigners were inspected.
Catch first, questions after: Enforcement officers addressing the rounded up immigrants after the raid in Kuala Lumpur.
“We are checking the foreigners for any offences, including overstaying,” he told reporters at the raid location.
Some of the foreigners are already living with families at the settlement, he added.
“We also discovered several packets of subsidised cooking oil following checks at five sundry shops in the area.
“We will work with the relevant agency to probe further,” he said.
Ruslin said the land on which the settlement was located belonged to the government.
Police personnel using a bolt cutter to cut a lock while breaking into the settlement.
“About 30 houses have already been built at the settlement.
“We believe most of the foreigners were renting from locals at a rate of about RM400.
“We will work with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to find out who is renting out the houses,” he said.
The operation was conducted between 12.30am and 2am near the DUKE expressway in Sentul.
More than 229 enforcement personnel from Immigration, the Civil Defence Force, DBKL and the police’s General Operations Force were involved in the operation.
