JIM Raids Taman Maluri Night Market, 200 Foreign Nationals Detained
KUALA LUMPUR: A chaotic scene unfolded at the Taman Maluri night market in Cheras yesterday evening when approximately 200 individuals, believed to be illegal immigrants (PATI), fled in panic upon realising the presence of the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) at the location.
A reporter who followed the operation observed that the majority of the foreign nationals detained were visiting the night market to purchase wet goods, food, and cooked dishes sold by local traders.
Observations at the scene found that the night market has become a popular spot for both local residents and foreign nationals working and living in the surrounding area to buy daily necessities.
Following two weeks of intelligence gathering, a team of plainclothes officers and personnel from JIM Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya was deployed to the location through Op Kutip, with the assistance of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
At precisely 6 p.m., several sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were seen surrounding the entrance to the market, and plainclothes officers who had been posing as shoppers immediately moved into action.
Kuala Lumpur Immigration Director, Hamsha Injau, said that a total of 500 individuals were inspected, comprising 407 foreign nationals and 93 locals.
“The total number of arrests was 200, broken down into 125 men and 75 women, consisting of nationals from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, and India.
“This location was targeted based on complaints we received from the local community. The majority of these foreign nationals have been flooding this area,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
According to him, among the offences detected during the operation were overstaying, not having valid travel documents, misuse of passes, violating pass conditions, and other offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Meanwhile, DBKL Enforcement Director, Mohd Muzzamer Jamaluddin, said that his department has always been monitoring the night market in the area and found that the majority of foreign nationals only came as visitors to the market.
Elaborating further, Hamsha said that his department will continue to carry out enforcement operations throughout the capital to ensure that foreign nationals who violate regulations do not feel at ease.
He said that besides the night market in this area, his department will also focus on other night markets in the capital that have become popular spots for foreign nationals.
“I wish to stress that enforcement action is not only focused on illegal immigrants, but also on employers, premises owners, agents, syndicates, and any individuals who shelter PATI.
“The department will not compromise on any form of immigration law violations and will continue to carry out operations professionally, with integrity, and based on legal provisions.
“I also urge the public out there to continue channelling information to JIM regarding activities that violate immigration laws,” he said.