Special Immigration Crackdown in Selangor Nets 62 Foreign Nationals for Visa Misuse
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Immigration Department (JIM) has detained 62 foreign nationals during a special enforcement operation targeting the misuse of immigration passes and violations of pass conditions across several areas in Selangor.
The operation, conducted on June 15 by JIM’s Enforcement Division, covered Cyberjaya, Bandar Seri Putra, Bandar Teknologi Kajang, Seri Kembangan, Sepang, and Dengkil. Authorities said the crackdown was launched based on intelligence gathering and information received from the public.
A total of 30 immigration officers took part in the operation, which involved inspections at 17 premises, including furniture manufacturing factories, timber processing plants, restaurants, grocery stores, and hawker areas known to be frequented by foreign workers.
During the operation, officers screened 210 individuals comprising both Malaysian citizens and foreign nationals. Following inspections and preliminary investigations, 62 foreigners were detained for suspected offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
Initial investigations revealed that some of the detainees were believed to have misused the immigration passes issued to them by engaging in employment or activities that did not correspond with the original purpose of their entry into Malaysia. Authorities described such actions as serious violations of immigration regulations and warned that offenders could face legal action under existing laws.
In the same operation, 11 witness summonses were issued to employers to assist ongoing investigations into the employment of foreign workers and compliance with immigration regulations.
All detained individuals have been transferred to the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for documentation, further investigation, and subsequent legal proceedings.
Immigration Director-General Dato’ Zakaria Shaaban said the department would continue to intensify enforcement operations nationwide to combat visa and pass misuse, abuse of immigration facilities, and other immigration-related offences.
He noted that the initiative is in line with the MADANI government’s commitment to ensuring that Malaysia’s immigration system is respected, complied with, and protected from abuse.
The department also reminded employers to strictly adhere to regulations governing the employment of foreign workers. Firm action, he said, will be taken against any individual or employer found to be harbouring, hiring, or assisting foreigners who violate immigration laws or the conditions of their passes.
JIM further urged members of the public to report any information related to undocumented migrants or immigration offences to assist authorities in safeguarding national security and sovereignty.