Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants: 218 Foreign Nationals Arrested in ‘Ops Sapu’ Operation
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Immigration Department detained 218 foreign nationals during an integrated “Ops Sapu” enforcement operation targeting business and residential premises in Taman Emas, Cheras, on Thursday.
The operation, which ran from 6.00pm to 9.00pm, involved inspections of several shop-house blocks used as accommodation by foreign nationals, as well as surrounding commercial areas along Jalan Emas. A total of 1,087 individuals were screened during the raid.
Deputy Director-General (Operations) of the Immigration Department, Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli, said the operation was conducted following nearly two weeks of intelligence gathering, supported by information received from the public.
“During the operation, 218 foreign nationals were arrested for various immigration offences, comprising 166 men and 52 women, including two children aged between two and 53 years,” he told reporters at the scene last night.
Those detained included 78 Myanmar nationals, 56 Bangladeshis, 44 Indonesians, 12 Nigerians, 10 Nepalese, five Indians, four Sri Lankans, and seven individuals from other countries.
According to Lokman, offences detected included failure to possess valid identification documents, overstaying, and breaching the conditions of work visit passes.
He added that some foreign nationals attempted to flee or hide during the raid, including seeking refuge on rooftops. However, the Immigration Department successfully deployed drone technology to track those attempting to escape.
“In this operation, drones enabled us to detect approximately 15 individuals hiding on rooftops, allowing enforcement officers to take swift action,” he said.
Lokman also urged employers to refrain from hiring undocumented foreign workers or those without valid work permits, stressing that enforcement action would not only target illegal migrants but also irresponsible employers.
“We call on the public and employers to cooperate by providing information to the Immigration Department. Employers must ensure that foreign workers hired are legally permitted to work and possess valid employment passes,” he said.
All detainees have been transferred to the Semenyih Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation and enforcement action.
The operation involved 279 immigration officers and personnel, with assistance from 10 officers of the National Registration Department (JPN).
Meanwhile, Lokman revealed that as of yesterday, the Immigration Department had conducted 1,069 enforcement operations nationwide, inspecting 17,793 individuals. From these operations, 3,691 undocumented migrants and 110 employers were arrested.
He said enforcement efforts will continue under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966, the Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
Lokman also reminded undocumented migrants that the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0, which ends in April, remains available.
“All undocumented migrants are advised to take advantage of this programme to avoid stricter enforcement once the grace period ends,” he added.