SHAH ALAM, Feb 18 — The Immigration Department arrested 132 undocumented migrants during an operation in an illegal settlement at an oil palm plantation in Setia Alam early this morning.
Immigration deputy director-general (Operations) Jafri Embok Taha said 130 Indonesians, including 76 men, 41 women, and 13 children (including a nine-month-old baby), as well as two Bangladeshi men, were arrested in the operation, which began at 2.38am.
The results of intelligence and complaints received by the department indicated the settlement had existed for the past four years and was equipped with electricity.
“These foreigners are believed to be renting the area from local residents, who also supplied electricity. The ‘Ketua Kampung’ (village chief) claimed they pay about RM6,000 a month to rent 0.6 hectares of land.
“In the settlement, there are also sundry shops, food stalls and a surau. Most of these foreigners work as cleaners, restaurant assistants, and construction workers in the surrounding area,” he said after the enforcement operation.
Based on checks, all the foreigners involved did not have valid travel documents and had stayed in the country for far too long.
“During the three-hour operation, there were those who climbed on the roof and locked themselves (in the house) so as not to be arrested by the authorities,” Jafri said.
The operation involved 220 members and officers from various agencies, including the General Operations Force (GOF) and the National Registration Department, and the case was investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
When asked about actions against the landowner, he said further review would be carried out under Section 55E (1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Jafri also reminded the public and employers not to harbour illegal immigrants or face legal action.
— Bernama
