Malaysia Immigration Dept Conducts 179 Raids in Five Days, Detains 471 Illegal Immigrants

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Immigration Department (JIM) has stepped up enforcement operations nationwide, conducting 179 raids within five days as part of an intensified effort to combat illegal immigration, visa abuse and unlawful business activities involving foreign nationals.

According to the department, the operations were carried out between June 8 and June 12 across multiple locations throughout the country. A total of 1,494 individuals, including both Malaysians and foreign nationals, were inspected during the enforcement drive.

As a result of the operations, 471 illegal immigrants were detained for allegedly committing various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and related regulations.

In addition, 31 employers were arrested to assist investigations after being suspected of hiring or harbouring foreign nationals who had violated immigration laws.

Johor recorded the highest number of operations during the five-day period with 52 raids, followed by Perak with 36, Kedah with 25 and Putrajaya with 22 operations.

The Immigration Department said the large-scale enforcement campaign demonstrates its commitment to ensuring strict compliance with immigration laws and regulations without compromise.

A key focus of the operations is to ensure that foreign nationals comply with the conditions attached to their visas and passes. Authorities stressed that every immigration pass is issued for a specific purpose and must be used only in accordance with its approved conditions.

The department warned that misuse of immigration passes, including engaging in unauthorised business activities, working without approval or conducting activities outside the scope of the issued pass, constitutes a serious offence under Malaysian law.

Officials said the operations are intended to send a clear message that the Malaysian government will not tolerate abuse of immigration facilities granted to foreign nationals.

Failure to comply with pass conditions may result in cancellation of immigration documents, detention, prosecution and deportation from the country, the department said.

JIM added that enforcement operations will continue to be intensified nationwide, particularly against foreigners involved in illegal business activities, pass misuse, unauthorised employment and other immigration-related offences.

The department also called on the public to cooperate by providing information on the presence or activities of foreign nationals suspected of violating immigration laws, enabling authorities to take swift enforcement action.

Authorities said the continued operations are essential to safeguarding national sovereignty, upholding the rule of law and protecting the interests of Malaysians.