Immigration officers arrest 72 foreign workers in a joint operation at a food court in Johor Bahru for immigration offences
JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) arrested 72 foreign workers for various offences in an integrated operation at a food court area in this district last Friday.
Johor Immigration Director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation, conducted at 8 pm and involved the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), was carried out as a result of intelligence and continuous monitoring.
He said those arrested consisted of Myanmarese, comprising 17 men, Indonesians (four men and 10 women), Vietnamese (three men and 37 women) and a Chinese woman.
The individuals were employed as restaurant waiters and cooks.
“A thorough inspection was conducted on both workers and employers without compromise, and we managed to identify individuals working without valid passes as well as those abusing the social visit pass facility,” he said in a statement today.
Mohd Rusdi said all those arrested are suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
They have been placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot for further investigation.
He added that five Form 29 notices, which serve as summonses to witnesses, were issued during the operation to assist with the investigation.
According to Mohd Rusdi, the integrated operation reflects the continued commitment of enforcement agencies to strengthening border and immigration controls, maintaining public order and ensuring compliance with the country’s laws and regulations.
