KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — The Immigration Department detained 181 foreign nationals for various immigration offences during an integrated operation at Jalan Raja Bot, or Chow Kit Market, this morning.
Immigration Department deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said the operation began at 9.40am and involved checks on 512 foreign nationals.
"A total of 181 foreign nationals were detained for various immigration offences, including lacking valid travel documents, overstaying, and pass misuse," he told the media at the scene today.
Lokman added that those detained include 147 Indonesians, 20 Bangladeshis, five Nepalese, three Indians, one Pakistani, and five others from various countries, aged between 10 and 55. Authorities brought all detainees to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot for further action.
The integrated operation also involved the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, the National Registration Department, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, and the Royal Malaysia Police.
He said Raja Bot Market is among 224 hotspots nationwide under continuous monitoring by the authorities.
This was the second operation at the location this year after intelligence gathering to determine the right time for an enforcement operation.
Operations will continue if immigration law violations persist, and no area will be exempt from enforcement.
Lokman noted that enforcement actions are not limited to foreign nationals, as employers and premises owners who break the law will also face legal consequences.
"We remind employers not to commit any offences under the Immigration Act, as they will also be liable to legal action under this Act.
"Locals attempting to assist these foreign nationals can also be acted against, as harbouring undocumented foreign nationals in our country constitutes an offence," he said.
Meanwhile, foreign nationals legally residing in the country need not worry, as enforcement operations target only those who violate the law.
