Immigration enforcement: 1,720 employers, premises owners face action in illegal migrants’ crackdown

IMMIGRATION authorities have acted against 1,720 employers and owners of buildings and residential premises nationwide since January for allegedly employing or harbouring undocumented migrants, following 9,700 enforcement operations.

Immigration Department Deputy Director-General (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said about 130,000 foreign nationals, mainly from Bangladesh and Myanmar, had been detained for document screening during the operations.

"After document checks were conducted, 57,000 undocumented migrants were detained for various offences under the Immigration Act," he said.

Lokman was speaking to reporters after leading an integrated mega operation with Terengganu Immigration director Mohd Yusri Mohd Nor at the Sri Kolam flats residential area here today.

The three-hour operation, which began at 1am, also involved the National Security Council (MKN), the Terengganu Civil Defence Force (APM) and the Terengganu National Registration Department (JPN). - September 21, 2026