KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 — The Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department arrested 38 illegal immigrants, comprising 29 men and nine women, in raids on two condominium blocks in the city at 12.15am today.
Its director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said in an operation codenamed Op Pintu, they raided 25 units in a 20-storey condominium in Sentul.
All the foreign nationals were found in each of the premises, which were being rented for RM1,500 per unit.
“We carried out checks on 102 foreigners in the two condominium blocks, and 38 of these illegal immigrants were aged between five and 64.
“Those arrested involved 12 Indian nationals, Pakistan (11), Nepal (11), and the Philippines (four) who were believed to have committed the offences of not having valid travel documents and overstaying,” he said during a press conference today.
Op Pintu was launched after two weeks of intelligence by the KL Immigration Department as a result of public information about the increase in foreigners suspected of being illegal immigrants in the condominium blocks in question.
Preliminary investigations have found that the illegal immigrants were working as construction workers, security guards, maids, as well workers in the service sector.
All those arrested are being held at the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office for further action under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passports Act 1966, Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“The department always conducts a 360-degree operation and will take action against immigrants, employers or members of the public who protect illegal immigrants," Saupee said.
Five locals, who are the owners of the premises involved, will also face action for protecting and allowing illegal immigrants to be on their premises.
— Bernama
