Brickfields blitzed: Over 100 undocumented migrants rounded up in Immigration sweep

KUALA LUMPUR: Brickfields was stormed by law enforcement personnel on the first day of the New Year.

Some 224 officers and personnel members from various agencies, led by the Immigration Department, raided 30 premises at Jalan Thamby Abdullah here on Monday (Jan 1).

The operation, which began at about 1pm, saw officers swarming the area.

Immigration deputy director-general (operations) Jafri Embok Taha said more than 100 undocumented foreigners were detained in the integrated operation codenamed “Ops Sapu” as of 2.30pm.

“We inspected 370 foreigners in the area after raiding 30 premises.

“Among those checked were 174 Indian nationals, 36 Pakistanis, 21 Sri Lankans and 30 Indonesians,” he told reporters at the scene.

Jafri said the full tally of those detained would be disclosed once further checks on documentation were done at the Immigration Department headquarters.

“Those detained will be placed at the Immigration depot in Semenyih,” he added.

The operation went well except for a few foreigners who attempted to escape, according to Jafri.

“However, we had already cordoned off the area and prevented their escape,” he said.

Among the offences were lacking personal documentation, overstaying and abuse of passes, he added.

“Such operations will be conducted continuously,” he said.

The area was chosen as the department received public complaints about the large number of migrants suspected to be undocumented, he said.

“We have also identified other areas around the country,” he added.

Jafri said the department’s focus for this year was to go after employers and other individuals who harbour undocumented foreigners.

“We will focus on nabbing those harbouring them. We urge the public not to harbour undocumented migrants as it is a major offence,” he said.

On another matter, Jafri 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 that, action will be taken against foreign workers who have not gone through the verification process and only show their RTK card.

“I stress that there will be no new registration for the programme beyond Dec 31 last year,” he added.