Indonesian Women Caught Using Fake MyKad Claim They Sought Jobs, Authorities Launch Joint Probe

KUALA LANGAT, Jan 14: A joint enforcement operation at an electronics factory in Telok Panglima Garang uncovered multiple cases of foreign nationals using forged MyKad identity cards, with offenders claiming they did so primarily to secure employment.

The raid, conducted on Wednesday evening under Ops Vape, involved the National Registration Department (NRD), Immigration Department, and Labour Department. The operation targeted the forgery of identity documents and the misuse of other people’s MyKad for employment purposes.

Among those detained were 37-year-old Indonesian woman Nulina and 25-year-old Murni. Nulina admitted that she obtained a fake MyKad for RM300 through an agent introduced by a friend, stating, “I only just started using it because I wanted a job. I didn’t know it was wrong.”

Murni claimed she was forced to use someone else’s MyKad to secure employment after arriving in Malaysia in 2024 under a promise of domestic work. “I only used a photocopy and didn’t pay anything. When I applied, the boss didn’t say anything, and I got the job straight away,” she said.

In total, 15 Indonesian women were detained during the operation.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who led the raid, said the operation followed three weeks of intelligence gathering and will be followed by thorough investigations. “Action by the NRD will be taken under the National Registration Regulations 1990, which carry penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to RM20,000, or both,” he said.

He added that immigration violations, including illegal entry, overstays, or misuse of work passes, will be investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, while employment-related offenses will be dealt with under the Employment Act 1955.

NRD Director-General Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias also attended the press conference, emphasizing that authorities are examining the broader network behind the offenses, including the masterminds and companies involved.

“This joint operation underscores the government’s zero-tolerance stance on identity document forgery, which poses serious implications for national security,” said Saifuddin Nasution.