Over 500 foreigners nabbed during raid at market for not having valid documents

A TOTAL of 530 foreigners were caught for not having valid travel documents during a joint raid by several government agencies at the Selangor Wholesale Market in Seri Kembangan in the early hours of Saturday (Feb 3).

“The raid was carried out to check licensed premises that were flouting the conditions of their licenses, such as hiring foreigners that were working without proper permits,” said the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) Corporate And Strategic Management Department

“There are 384 lots allocated for the sale of raw ingredients at the market. The Selangor Wholesale Market is not managed by MBSJ but is the responsibility of Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS),” it added in a statement.

It said that the council regularly monitors and carries out enforcement operations at the market.

“Eleven operations were conducted since 2019 and a total of 161 compounds were issued for various offences on matters under the local authority’s purview.”

It involved a total of 313 personnel from agencies such as Selangor Immigration Department, MBSJ, Serdang District Police Headquarters, General Operations Force, Malaysian Civil Defence Force and Selangor National Registration Department.

The raid was led by Selangor Immigration director Khairrul Aminus Kamaruddin. Also present was Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim.

“The immigrants that were detained were brought to the Selangor Immigration Department’s Enforcement Section office,” said the council.

“All detainees will be investigated for committing an offence under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/ 63 for not having any valid documents and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/ 63 for having overstayed on various passes,” it added.

MBSJ said it viewed seriously the issue of business licences or trading sites being sold by locals to foreigners.

“This ‘Ali Baba act’ is often seen as contributing to the monopoly of businesses by foreigners,” said the council.

“The areas occupied by the immigrants are often unkempt and dirty, to the extent that they could affect the well-being and environment of the communities living there,” it added.