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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Malaysia’s Immigration Department (JIM) has uncovered a syndicate allegedly providing transportation services to undocumented foreign nationals in the Kajang and Putrajaya areas, detaining 53 foreigners and arresting seven people, including six foreign drivers.
According to JIM, the special operation was conducted on Tuesday in and around Kampung Dato’ Abu Bakar Baginda, Kajang and Putrajaya. The operation, carried out from 3pm to 6pm, involved 35 officers from the Enforcement Division and the Special Tactical Team (PASTAK) of the Putrajaya Immigration Headquarters.
During the operation, seven vans carrying foreign passengers were intercepted and inspected. Preliminary investigations found that six of the vans were driven by five Bangladeshi nationals and one Indonesian national. None of the drivers possessed valid travel documents or passes.
JIM said the foreign drivers also did not possess valid Competent Driving Licences, while some were found to be using only probationary driving licences.
A Malaysian man, identified as the driver and owner of one of the vans, was also arrested during the operation.
Preliminary questioning found that some of the foreign drivers claimed they received monthly payments of between RM1,600 and RM1,800 from the van owners, who are suspected to be Malaysian nationals, for providing the transportation service.
Further inspections of the passengers led to the detention of 53 foreign nationals aged between 18 and 59 for allegedly failing to possess valid travel documents or passes.
Those detained comprised 44 Indonesian nationals — 12 men and 32 women — eight Bangladeshi men and one Myanmar national.
Initial investigations also found that the foreign nationals were believed to have used the vans to travel to and from their workplaces in and around Kampung Dato’ Abu Bakar Baginda, Kajang and Putrajaya. They reportedly paid about RM100 per month for the transportation service.
JIM said all seven vans had been seized as they were suspected of being used in offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Efforts are ongoing to identify and locate other vehicle owners believed to be involved in the syndicate to assist the investigation.
The six foreign drivers and the Malaysian national were detained under Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Meanwhile, the 53 detained foreign nationals were placed at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot under Section 51(5)(b) of the same Act for further investigation.
The case is also being investigated under the Passports Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).