Immigration detains 58 foreign nationals at a private food court in Puchong
The Immigration Department (Immigration) detained 58 foreign nationals at a food court operating on private land in Pusat Bandar Puchong, Selangor, during an integrated operation yesterday.
The Director-General of the Immigration Department (JIM), Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, stated that the arrests were made following inspections of 102 individuals, including locals, present at the food court.
He said the detained foreign nationals consisted of 31 men and 10 women from Myanmar, two men and one woman from Indonesia, nine men from Bangladesh, four men from India, and one man from Vietnam.
“The raided food court is believed to be operated by individuals from Myanmar and Bangladesh, who were hiding behind expired Temporary Employment Visit Passes (PLKS) and UNHCR refugee cardholders,” he said in a statement.
The integrated operation was conducted by the Immigration Enforcement Division, assisted by officers from the National Registration Department (JPN) and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).
Also involved were the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Prevention Division and the Anti-Money Laundering Crime Investigation Team (AMLA) from the Immigration Headquarters in Putrajaya.
Zakaria stated that the raid was carried out based on public complaints and intelligence gathered over a week, with a total of 95 officers involved.
According to him, all detained foreign nationals, aged between 18 and 40, have been placed at the Bukit Jalil Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation and action.
He said the detainees are suspected of committing offenses under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“Immigration will not compromise with foreign nationals who conduct illegal businesses, overstay, or misuse their passes in this country.”
“Strict action will also be taken against any party that employs or harbors illegal immigrants (PATI),” he added.