[UPDATED] Immigration Dept nabs 10 foreigners over unauthorised logo use

The Immigration Department in Malaysia apprehended ten foreigners, including a Pakistani man, within a day following the circulation of a video showing an individual using a vehicle with the department's logo. The video went viral on social media, prompting special operations by Immigration officers in Putrajaya.

The Pakistani man, caught on camera, was apprehended during a raid at a condominium in Setapak around 4:30 PM yesterday. Prior to his arrest, officers discovered an Indonesian woman who had overstayed her visa. Additionally, two Indonesian passports believed to be linked to other individuals were found in the Pakistani man's possession.

Further investigation led to the identification of the vehicle featured in the video, a Toyota Hilux with registration number VLH8773. Following the leads, the vehicle was traced to a car wash in Jalan Kuching, where a Pakistani owner was subsequently detained. Eight workers from the car wash, comprising four Bangladeshi men, three Pakistani men, and an Indian man, were also arrested for suspected offenses under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act.

Preliminary findings revealed that the video was recorded in April of the previous year but was uploaded by the man's wife on WhatsApp status on August 7. The woman had been in Indonesia during the upload. The vehicle owner admitted to installing the Immigration Department logo and warning lights for personal use and claimed he was unaware that it was illegal. The owner also stated that the logo and warning lights were removed before the video went viral.

All those detained, along with the Toyota Hilux shown in the video, were taken to the Immigration office for further investigation. The Immigration Department is currently probing the unauthorized use of its logo on a foreigner's vehicle, which has raised concerns about safety and the legality of the act.