JIM Detains Permanent Resident Employer Suspected Of Supplying Foreign Workers Without Authorisation

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has successfully busted an activity of supplying foreign workers without authorisation after detaining seven individuals in a Special Operation conducted at two locations around Semenyih, Selangor on July 15.

The operation, which began at 12.20 pm, was carried out by a team of officers and personnel from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division, Putrajaya Immigration Headquarters, following intelligence gathered over a period of one month.

In the operation, a Bangladeshi man who is also a Malaysian permanent resident (MyPR), believed to be acting as the company owner and employer, was detained. Also detained were four Bangladeshi men, a Bangladeshi woman and a Thai woman, aged between 27 and 57.

Checks found that the main suspect holds Malaysian Permanent Resident (MyPR) status, while one Bangladeshi man holds a Student Pass and a Thai woman holds a Temporary Work Visit Pass as a restaurant worker. Other foreign nationals were found not to possess any valid pass or travel documents to be in the country.

During the raid, JIM also seized 31 Bangladeshi passports, one Thai passport, copies of Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) documents, as well as cash totalling RM48,524.

Preliminary investigations found that the suspect is believed to have been carrying out activities of managing and supplying foreign workers to local employers, particularly around the Klang Valley, without approval from the authorities. The activities are believed to have been concealed behind business premises and food premises to avoid detection. The suspect is also believed to have charged a fee of RM4,000 for each individual to manage and renew work passes.

The case is being investigated under Section 12(1)(f) of the Passports Act 1966 and Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63 against the main suspect. One Bangladeshi man and one Thai woman are being investigated under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, while other foreign nationals are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not possessing valid travel documents.

All those detained have been taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further action. In addition, one local man and three local women, as well as one Bangladeshi man, have been issued notices to appear to assist in the investigation.

Malaysian Immigration Director-General, Dato’ Zakaria Shaaban said the Malaysian Immigration Department will continue to intensify enforcement operations and take stern action against any party that violates immigration laws to ensure public safety and order remain preserved.