Over 25,000 foreigners detained in crackdown on illegal businesses

KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department conducted 12,343 operations against businesses illegally run by foreigners from 2024 to Sept 30 this year, resulting in the detention of 25,124 foreigners, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.

He said the operations comprised Op Belanja, targeting business and retail premises; Op Jaja, focusing on hawker activities; and Op Selera, targeting restaurants, eateries and food preparation premises.

He said 5,173 operations were conducted under Op Belanja, involving inspections of 20,882 people, with a total of 5,809 undocumented migrants and 471 employers detained.

For Op Jaja, 567 operations were carried out, involving inspections of 8,473 people. These resulted in the detention of 734 undocumented migrants and 40 employers.

Meanwhile, 6,603 Op Selera operations were conducted, involving inspections of 51,847 people. A total of 19,301 undocumented migrants and 1,341 employers were detained.

Saifuddin said action was taken under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963 against foreigners found staying or working illegally in the country.

"Common offences included not possessing a valid pass or permit, overstaying and violating the conditions of a pass or permit.

"Those convicted could face fines or imprisonment. Foreigners ordered to be deported would be placed at immigration depots while documentation and travel documents were arranged with their respective embassies or diplomatic representatives before being sent home," he said in a parliamentary written reply.

On allegations that syndicates or other parties were protecting illegal business activities, Saifuddin said all information and complaints received would be examined through intelligence gathering and further investigations.

He said the department would continue intelligence-led and targeted enforcement operations through Op Belanja, Op Jaja and Op Selera to curb the abuse of immigration facilities by foreigners.