Immigration steps up 3 operations to curb employment of undocumented migrants

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is carrying out three targeted operations to curb the presence of undocumented migrants in the employment sector and prevent their involvement in unauthorised business activities.

The operations, known as Op Hijau, Op Jaja and Op Belanja, are being conducted by the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government continued to conduct enforcement operations to address the presence of foreigners, particularly undocumented migrants.

"Among the approaches adopted are targeted enforcement operations, such as Op Hijau, which focuses on the agricultural sector, including crop plantations, livestock farms and nurseries.

"Op Jaja targets hawking activities at night markets, farmers' markets, wholesale markets, fruit stalls and roadside stalls, while Op Belanja focuses on supermarkets, grocery shops, furniture shops and other identified business premises," he said in a written reply published on the parliament website last night.

He was responding to a question from Dr Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun) on the government's measures to curb the growing presence of foreigners, including undocumented migrants, working in agriculture, plantations and grocery shops.

Saifuddin said the Immigration Department had conducted 2,644 operations under the three targeted initiatives between Jan 1, 2025, and Sept 15 this year.

"A total of 19,192 people were inspected during the operations, resulting in the arrest of 4,168 undocumented migrants and 299 employers suspected of committing immigration-related offences.

"Besides targeted operations, the Immigration Department has strengthened enforcement inspections to improve monitoring, checks and compliance at locations identified as high-risk areas for pass abuse, the employment of undocumented migrants or the involvement of foreigners in unauthorised work.

"During the same period, the department conducted 11,790 enforcement inspections nationwide," he said.

He said enforcement was also carried out through joint operations involving local authorities, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

"This approach enables more comprehensive action to be taken within the respective agencies' jurisdictions, covering immigration status, business licences and compliance with relevant regulations.

"During the same period, 685 joint operations were conducted," he said.

Saifuddin added that the Immigration Department had also deployed officers under an omnipresence approach to increase the visibility and presence of enforcement personnel.

"This approach serves as a deterrent against the employment of undocumented migrants and the involvement of foreigners in illegal economic activities.

"The Home Ministry, through the Immigration Department, will continue to intensify intelligence-led operations and act on public complaints, while strengthening inter-agency cooperation to ensure enforcement is comprehensive, consistent and effective," he said.