27 Bangladeshi workers held over passport tampering bids

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of foreigners has been detained for attempting to alter information on their passports while registering for the Second Labour Recalibration Programme (RTK 2.0), says Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.

A local woman believed to be a representative of the foreign workers’ employer was also detained, he said.

According to him, the incident took place at the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department office at the Home Ministry Complex at Jalan Duta on Monday (Jan 15) morning.

“Twenty-seven Bangladeshi men accompanied by a woman came to register for the RTK 2.0 and were arrested on suspicion of altering information on passports.

“The results of the inspection using MyIMMS by the verification officer on duty found that there were amendments made to the details of the old passport numbers and personal details in the passport biodata pages of these Bangladeshi men,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 16).

Ruslin said they detained the 39-year-old local woman for allegedly committing an offence under Section 56(1A)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

The Bangladeshi men, aged between 24 and 46 years old, were also detained under Section 56(1)(l) of the same Act for allegedly amending travel documents without valid authority, he added.

“All those detained were then taken to the Intelligence and Operations Unit for further investigation,” he said, adding that the 27 foreigners were sent to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot for investigation and further action.

Ruslin called on all employers who have registered illegal immigrants for the RTK 2.0 programme to immediately go to the KL Immigration Department to complete the verification process.

RTK 2.0 expires on March 31.

“This is to enable the issuance of temporary work permits and avoid waiting in long queues. Do not wait until the last minute.

“In line with the no-compromise policy, we would like to emphasise that all parties should work together to ensure that this country is not a place for illegal immigrants, employers who employ illegal immigrants or any party that protects illegal immigrants or tries to commit any offence under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and any other regulations or legislation,” he said.

Ruslin also urged the public to channel complaints and information to the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department’s Enforcement Division Complaints Unit.

Those with information can head to the department’s office or send an email to aduan_penguatkuasajimwpkl@imi.gov.my or call 03-6205 7515.