Immigration nabs 971 illegal foreigners in nationwide crackdown

The Immigration Department detains 971 illegal foreigners in a 12-hour nationwide operation yesterday. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, February 21, 2016.A total 971 illegal foreigners were nabbed by Immigration in an overnight crackdown nationwide.

Its director-general Datuk Sakib Kusmi said in the 12-hour operation that started at 10pm, 2,182 foreign nationals were screened.

He said the offences they committed included not having identification documents, overstaying and holding unrecognised cards of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

“Those detained will be placed at immigration detention depots for investigation and follow up action,” he said in a statement today.

In Cyberjaya, Immigration deputy director-general Datuk Ibrahim Abdullah said the department carried out 1,452 raids from January 1 till February 19 in which 25,549 foreigners were screened.

Of the total, he said 7,002 illegals, 133 employers and two agents were detained over various offences.

“Until Thursday this year, 8,058 illegals were deported,” he told reporters after an operation at a construction site in Cyber 3, Cyberjaya yesterday.

He said Immigration checked 415 foreign nationals and detained 297 illegals for various offences.

“They will be sent to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation,” he added.

In Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Immigration enforcement chief Mohd Muda said four juveniles were among 18 illegal foreign workers rounded by in the crackdown centred around construction sites in Manir dan Kampung Gelugor.

In Bukit Mertajam, Penang Immigration assistant director Abdul Rahman Hassan said three children were among 39 illegals rounded up in the crackdown at construction sites.

In Ipoh, Perak Immigration enforcement head Ahamad Puat Abd Hamid said a four-month-old baby was among 51 illegals rounded up in operations at construction sites in Pusing and Lahat.

In Seremban, Negri Sembilan Immigration in a statement said 21 illegals comprising Indonesians and Myanmars were nabbed.

In Malacca, Malacca Immigration director Mohd Fauzi Abdullah said they rounded up 212 illegals, 184 men and 28 women, aged from 20 to 55.

They comprised 161 Nepalese, 10 Indonesians, eight Myanmar, six Bangladeshis, four Sri Lankans, one Indian and 22 Chinese nationals who were working as GROs. – Bernama, February 21, 2016.