KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The Immigration Department detained 109 foreign construction workers during a raid at a commercial building along Jalan Ampang yesterday, uncovering an attempt to convert several units into an exclusive entertainment club.
Its director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the 11.45am raid came after three weeks of intelligence gathering prompted by public complaints over the growing presence of foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals, in the area.
Fifty-eight immigration officers inspected 120 people during the raid at Level 18 of Tower One and Level 24 of Tower Three of the building.
"During the raid, the foreign nationals were found actively carrying out renovation works at several units believed to be used as an exclusive entertainment club. The premises were being fitted with multi-layered security systems and tightly controlled access points to avoid detection by the authorities.
"Preliminary investigations found that most of them were holding social visit passes but were working without authorisation. Some were also suspected of overstaying, while others failed to produce valid travel documents," he said in a statement today.
Those detained comprised 78 Chinese men and 31 men from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India, aged between 30 and 43.
Zakaria said they were arrested for various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963, and have been taken to an Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation.
The department also detained a local man believed to be the manager, or the individual responsible for overseeing the presence of the foreign nationals at the premises.
"The department has also issued a Witness Summons (Form 29) to a supervisor of the building's Joint Management Body to assist in the investigation," he said.
