PETALING JAYA: An Indonesian woman suspected of operating as an illegal immigration agent has been arrested for allegedly charging between RM700 and RM3,000 for immigration-related services, including migrant repatriation and special passes.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the 31-year-old woman was arrested during a special operation at a residential premises in Section U15, Shah Alam, on Oct 19.
He said the operation was carried out by officers from the department’s Intelligence and Special Operations Division following a month-long intelligence gathering exercise and public information.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect had been offering and promoting immigration-related services through TikTok, targeting Indonesian nationals in the Klang Valley,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 21).
Zakaria said the services allegedly offered included assistance with the Migrant Repatriation Programme (PRM), special passes, bringing migrants into and out of the country through unauthorised routes, and obtaining a Surat Perjalanan Laksana Paspor (SPLP) from the Indonesian Embassy.
The suspect is believed to have been operating for about a year.
During the operation, the department seized two Indonesian passports, a set of keys to the residential premises, two mobile phones, a customer record book and RM4,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from the activities.
Following questioning, the team proceeded to a courier company in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, where they seized a parcel containing another Indonesian passport allegedly sent by a customer to the suspect.
Zakaria said the woman was detained for suspected offences under Section 56(1)(l) and Section 56(1A)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“She was taken to the Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya for further investigation.
“The department will continue to take firm action to curb any activities that violate the country’s laws to safeguard national stability and prosperity,” he said.
