JIM Smashes Illegal Agent Syndicate, Detains Eight Myanmar Nationals in Bandar Mahkota Cheras

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia Immigration Department (JIM) successfully smashed a foreign worker supply syndicate activity believed to have been operated by illegal agents after detaining eight Myanmar nationals in a Special Operation in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Selangor last Saturday.

Immigration Director‑General of Malaysia, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said that the operation, which began at 3.50 pm on 1 August, was carried out by a team of officers and personnel from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division, Putrajaya Immigration Headquarters.

He said that the operation was a follow‑up to a joint enforcement action with the Malaysian Anti‑Corruption Commission (MACC) through Op Crack on 28 July last.

“As a result of the raid on a residential premises, JIM successfully detained a Myanmar woman believed to have acted as an illegal agent. Initial investigations found that the suspect had links to a Myanmar man believed to be the mastermind behind the syndicate, who had been detained by the MACC in a previous operation,” he said in a statement.

According to him, also detained were one man and six women of Myanmar nationality believed to be waiting to be supplied to employers, bringing the total arrests to eight individuals aged between 29 and 56.

Checks found that the female suspect believed to be an illegal agent possessed a Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) in the services sector, while four Myanmar women were found to have overstayed. One man and two other women did not possess any pass or valid travel documents to be in this country.

In the operation, JIM also seized 16 Myanmar passports, copies of what are believed to be fake PLKS, various documents related to foreign worker supply, and a Toyota Yaris vehicle believed to have been used to carry out the syndicate’s activities.

Initial investigations found that the syndicate offered services to obtain PLKS believed to have been issued illegally through JIM’s foreign worker management system, which had been breached.

The syndicate is believed to have targeted foreign nationals around the Klang Valley who do not have valid passes or have overstayed, besides supplying foreign workers to employers by charging between RM8,000 and RM10,000 per worker. The activity is believed to have been operating since the beginning of this year.

The case is being investigated under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966 against the female suspect believed to have acted as an illegal agent. Four other women are being investigated under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for overstaying, while one man and two women are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the same act for not possessing valid travel documents.

All individuals detained have been brought to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for investigation and further action.

Zakaria said that JIM will continue with thorough investigations to identify the syndicate network involved and will take stern action against any party that violates the country’s immigration laws to ensure that the nation’s security, stability and prosperity continue to be preserved.