The operation began at 11am and targeted several business premises believed to employ or be operated by foreigners.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department detained 472 foreigners for suspected immigration offences after screening 2,500 people during a large-scale multi-agency operation at Lebuh Pudu today.
Kuala Lumpur Immigration director Datuk Hamsha Injau said the operation began at 11am and targeted several business premises believed to employ or be operated by foreigners.
He said the operation involved 337 personnel, comprising 218 Immigration officers and 119 personnel from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the Fire and Rescue Department, Companies Commission of Malaysia, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, National Registration Department and Health Ministry.
Hamsha said those detained, aged between 18 and 62, comprised 439 men and 33 women from 10 countries: Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, China, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe.
“Among the offences identified were not having identification documents and overstaying. There were also individuals holding unrecognised cards and others suspected of offences under the Immigration Act.
“All those detained will be taken to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation and action,” he said.
Hamsha said the operation followed repeated complaints about the area, including from DBKL, concerning the large presence of foreigners and premises suspected of operating illegally.
Despite the number of people screened, he said most had valid travel documents or work permits and were released, with many visiting the area to shop over the weekend.
“We checked them regardless. Those who had valid travel documents or work permits were released,” he said.
“For today’s operation, we are focusing on pass misuse, overstaying and those without valid documents to work here.
“As for business premises operating illegally, DBKL has conducted its investigations and will take further action. That matter will be handled by DBKL.”
Asked whether Lebuh Pudu should still be described as “Mini Dhaka”, Hamsha said the department did not recognise the label.
“We do not recognise ‘Mini Dhaka’. If it is repeatedly mentioned, the public will assume this area is ‘Mini Dhaka’, although we have never recognised it as such.
“Kuala Lumpur as a whole is a focal point for foreigners. Some also come here from other states,” he said.
Hamsha warned that enforcement would continue without compromise against employers, premise owners and individuals who employed or harboured undocumented migrants.
He urged foreigners without valid documents or who had overstayed to use the Migrant Repatriation Programme to return voluntarily after paying a compound.
“If we take enforcement action like today, we have to investigate and prosecute. They may have to serve a prison sentence before being deported to their respective countries,” he said.
He also urged the public to report immigration violations through the department’s official channels, saying public cooperation was vital to safeguarding national sovereignty and public safety.