SHAH ALAM, July 27 – An illegal settlement in Kampung Budiman, Setia Alam, believed to be occupied by those without valid documents, is currently being investigated by the Immigration Department following videos that were circulated on social media recently.
Kosmo Online reported that its director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said they are conducting a detailed investigation to confirm the allegations regarding the existence of the illegal settlement before any enforcement action is taken.
He added that the department will not act irresponsibly merely because an issue goes viral on social media and instead will verify information through investigation.
“We will continue to investigate. There are many things I watch every day on social media. But we cannot just take action based on the information that has gone viral.
“We need to investigate and we have to make sure what has gone viral is true or not. After that, only then can we take action and the settlement is also under our investigation,” said Zakaria.
He was speaking to the media after inspecting the Integrated Enforcement Operation at the Industrial Park in Kapar Bestari, Klang today.
Zakaria noted that if the investigation confirms the allegations, the Immigration Department does not rule out the possibility of conducting an integrated operation with the local authorities, the Land and District Office, and relevant enforcement agencies.
What action to be taken depends on the jurisdiction of each agency because the offence of building illegal settlements is not under the Immigration Department’s jurisdiction alone.
"We have to look at our jurisdiction as well.For example, the offence of building a house or settlement is outside the jurisdiction of immigration
"We may carry out an integrated operation with other agencies such as the local authorities, as well as the Land and District Office. We will take all of that into account," he said.
Previously, a video went viral on social media platform Threads displaying footage of an alleged illegal camp situated in Kampung Budiman, which was believed to be housing foreigners for years without interference from the Immigration Department.
It was previously reported that the location had been raided and subjected to enforcement action before. However, it was claimed that foreigners have returned to open new settlements near the original location.
