65,000 foreigners detained in over 11,000 immigration raids
KOTA BARU: More than 65,000 foreigners were detained for various immigration offences in over 11,000 enforcement operations nationwide from Jan 1 to Oct 15, said Immigration Department deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli.
More than 65,000 foreigners were detained for immigration violations in over 11,000 enforcement operations in Malaysia between January and October 15, according to Immigration Department deputy director-general Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli. During the 287-day period, more than 146,000 foreigners were checked, with 45,000 of those detained being repatriated.
The department conducted an average of more than 38 operations per day, inspecting about 511 foreigners and detaining 228 daily. Common offenses included failing to have valid documents (Section 6(1)(c)), overstaying (Section 15(1)(c)), and visa abuse (working without permission). Bangladeshis, Indonesians, and Myanmar nationals were among those most frequently repatriated.
The operations targeted various sectors, including construction, services, and agriculture. In a recent raid, 55 foreigners out of 57 inspected at a construction site in Kubang Kerian were detained on suspicion of immigration offenses. Additionally, a Myanmar man suspected of smuggling 10 fellow countrymen through illegal routes was arrested, along with the 10 Myanmar nationals believed to have been charged around RM3,500 each for the smuggling attempt.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the smuggling operation and any potential accomplices.
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