Some 17 foreigners detained during joint operation in JB

JOHOR BARU: Seventeen foreigners were detained during a joint operation at the Pandan Commercial Centre near here on Wednesday.

The Ops Bersama (Hotspot) involved the Johor Immigration Department, Johor South Police District Headquarters, Johor Baru City Council, and Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.

Johor Immigration Department acting director Mohd Faizal Shamsudin said they were nabbed in Ops Bersama (Hotspot) at 10.30am on Wednesday (May 15).

“The operation was conducted following the videos of the foreigners working at the commercial centre which went viral on social media,’’ he said in a statement.

Mohd Faizal said the foreigners were found to have been working without work permits, did not possess valid travel documents and had overstayed in Malaysia.

“Ninety-eight people including locals and foreigners were inspected during the operation, with 17 foreigners from four countries apprehended,’’ he added.

Mohd Faizal said those detained were an Indonesian man, an Indonesian woman, two Pakistani males, three Myanmar national males and 10 Bangladeshi males aged between 21 and 41 years.

“We have issued notices to assist with the investigation,’’ he said adding, that the council had also issued notices to seal goods sold at the premises during the operation.

Mohd Faizal said the illegal immigrants had committed offences under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155).

He said the department would continue to work closely with other enforcement agencies in Johor to eradicate the influx of illegal immigrants in the state.

Mohd Faizal said that the Johor Immigration Department will not compromise and will take stern action against employers and business owners for employing illegal immigrants.

“We would like to appeal to illegal immigrants to take the opportunity to go back to their home countries voluntarily under the Migrant Repatriation Programme which ends on Dec 31, 2024,’’ he said.