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A FOREIGN tourist was detained after allegedly refusing to cooperate and brandishing a blade during an Immigration Department raid on entertainment outlets in the Changkat Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur early this morning.
The incident occurred during Op Gegar, which began at about 12.20am when 19 officers and personnel from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department raided two entertainment premises following complaints involving undocumented migrants.
Journalists accompanying the operation observed that a small number of foreign nationals attempted to flee in panic as the raid unfolded, although the situation was brought under control without further incident.
Tension escalated when a Western tourist in his 30s, who claimed to be a former military veteran, allegedly refused to cooperate and produced a karambit (a short, curved blade) during questioning.
In a heated exchange, he reportedly shouted at officers, saying: “You are all impersonating, fake, I don’t trust you immigration officers. Don’t disturb me, why are you coming in numbers? Don’t disturb me.
“I came to Malaysia 10 days ago, you want to arrest people who are spending in your country. I don’t trust immigration, I only trust police officers.”
He also allegedly issued insults and derogatory remarks towards Malaysia while continuing to behave aggressively.
Despite the confrontation, Immigration officers maintained composure and professionalism as they attempted to de-escalate the situation through negotiation. The suspect remained uncooperative until the arrival of police Motorcycle Patrol Unit (URB) officers.
He later agreed to surrender the weapon to police, after which the situation was brought under control and the inspection resumed without further incident.
A Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department spokesperson said a total of 39 individuals were inspected during the operation at two entertainment premises, involving nationals from Indonesia, Uganda, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and Bangladesh.
At the first premises, five undocumented migrants were detained, comprising three Bangladeshi men, and one woman each from Indonesia and Uganda.
At the second premises, authorities detained nine Bangladeshi men, seven Vietnamese women, an Indonesian woman, and a local man believed to be the employer.
All detainees were taken to the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 and Sections 6(1)(c), 56(1)(d), 39(b) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. - April 30, 2026
