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THE Immigration Department (JIM) has announced a ramp-up of inspections and enforcement operations at Ramadan bazaars across the country to ensure that illegal foreign workers are not involved in trade or employment during the festive season.
Immigration Department Deputy Director-General (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said the initiative is aimed at preventing foreign nationals from running businesses or being employed without proper permits.
“Enforcement will continue and will not be halted during Ramadan. We will step up inspections at Ramadan bazaars to ensure they are free from illegal immigrant involvement, whether as traders or workers,” he told reporters after leading an operation, Ops Selera, in Bandar Sungai Long last night.
He cautioned employers against hiring or harbouring foreign nationals who violate immigration laws, warning that offenders could face action under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Between January 1 and February 13, JIM conducted 1,700 enforcement operations nationwide, inspecting some 27,000 foreign nationals.
Of these, 6,200 individuals were detained for various immigration offences, predominantly citizens of Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and China. During the same period, 230 employers were also detained for violations of immigration regulations.
During last night’s operation in Sungai Long, 51 foreign workers—40 men and 11 women aged between 21 and 36, mostly from Myanmar and Bangladesh—were detained following checks on 463 individuals.
“Among the offences identified were the absence of valid travel documents, overstaying, and misuse of permits, including plantation sector permit holders found working as restaurant staff. All detainees were taken to the KLIA Immigration Depot for further action,” Lokman Effendi said.
He emphasised that enforcement will now focus particularly on Ramadan bazaars, ensuring that foreign nationals do not misuse permits or occupy trading spaces illegally during the holy month.
“Monitoring and inspections will be prioritised at Ramadan bazaars. The main focus is to prevent foreign nationals from misusing permits or bazaar sites for business throughout Ramadan,” he added.
The operation underscores JIM’s ongoing commitment to strict immigration enforcement and protecting local commerce from unlawful foreign employment, especially during peak festive periods. - February 14, 2026