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Malaysia has intensified its crackdown on undocumented migrants, detaining more than 57,000 people in over 9,700 operations across the country in the first eight months of this year.
More than 130,000 foreign nationals were also screened and questioned during the period, according to the country’s Immigration Department.
Datuk Lokman Ependi Ramli, deputy director general (Operations) of the Immigration Department, disclosed the figures on Monday after a joint operation in a residential area in Kuala Lumpur.
He said the operations were conducted over 260 days from January 1 to September 17, averaging about 37 raids a day.
More than 35,000 undocumented migrants were detained in operations conducted directly by the Immigration Department, while over 22,000 others were detained at various entry points or with assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
The department said the raids mainly uncovered three types of immigration violations: staying in Malaysia without valid travel documents, overstaying visas and working outside the sector or job for which permission had been granted.
The crackdown is also targeting employers and property or business owners who knowingly hire or provide accommodation to undocumented migrants.
Lokman said legal action had been taken against 1,720 employers for alleged violations of immigration laws as of September 17. This amounts to an average of nearly six employers or related individuals facing legal action every day over the 260-day period.
He urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands if they encounter foreigners suspected of violating immigration laws.
Instead, he advised them to report the matter to the immigration authorities with photographs and specific information so that the authorities can take appropriate legal action.
Immigration officials said the nationwide operations would continue throughout the year.
Sources: The Star, New Straits Times and Bernama
