OP MAHIR: MELAKA IMMIGRATION ROUNDS UP 22 ILLEGAL FOREIGN WORKERS

MELAKA, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The Melaka Immigration Department (Melaka JIM) detained 22 male illegal immigrants through Op Mahir at a warehouse storing, processing, and distributing food items in Pulau Gadong, Klebang Besar here yesterday.

Its director, Anirwan Fauzee Mohd Aini said all those detained, aged between 20 and 35 years, comrpised 10 each from Pakistan and Nepal, and two Indian nationals.

"Acting on information gathering from a week of surveillance, Immigration authorities carried out a thorough inspection on the warehouse which was believed to have been operating without a valid licence and employing illegal immigrants.

"Preliminary investigations found that the warehouse used the services of foreign worker agents to supply labour for the processing and delivery of food and beverage products," he said in a statement here today.

Elaborating further, Anirwan said all the foreign workers are also believed to have overstayed and violated the conditions of their permits, in addition to two Form 29 (Summons to a Witness) being issued to the Malaysian male manager and local female clerk at the warehouse to assist in the investigation.

Meanwhile, he said in a separate operation, the Melaka JIM also picked up 11 male foreigners in a raid conducted under Op Selera at a restaurant and via Op Jaja at a wholesale market in Melaka Tengah.

"All of them were detained at both locations for failing to produce identification documents and violating the conditions of their visas or permits,” he said.

"JIM has detected that many foreigners abuse the facilities to stay in Malaysia and do not return to their home countries, and work illegally as well as are involved in immoral activities.”

He said his team will take stern action without compromising on premises owners and employers who employ illegal workers who do not possess valid travel documents, visas or work permits as well as those who intentionally provide protection to foreigners violating the Immigration Act 1959/63. (Akta 155).

-- BERNAMA