Premises offering “Employer Change” services raided, 228 foreign nationals detained

KULIM: A premises providing “employer change” services through a recruitment agency in Lunas was raided by the Kedah Immigration Department (JIM) last Wednesday.

According to Harian Metro, 228 foreign nationals were detained during the operation conducted by immigration officers from the Intelligence and Operations Unit, Enforcement Division of JIM Kedah.

JIM Kedah Director Mohd Ridzzuan Mohd Zain stated that the detainees included 222 Bangladeshi men, three Chinese men, two Chinese women, and one Indian national.

He said that the recruitment agency in question was offering employer change services across various job sectors for a fixed fee.

“Approval is required before workers can be supplied to new employers.

“The agency used social media platforms to promote job offers across all sectors and successfully convinced desperate employers to obtain immediate approval,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Ridzzuan mentioned that the case is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Immigration Regulations 1963, Passport Act 1966, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

He added that all suspects have been sent to the Anak Bukit Immigration Office in Alor Setar for documentation and further action.

“The public is advised to be cautious when choosing recruitment agencies and to ensure that the agency is registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) to avoid becoming victims of fraud.

“JIM Kedah will not compromise on the entry of visitors who do not meet the entry requirements into the country and will continue to take firm action against any parties found violating the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM),” he said.