KELANTAN JIM DETAINS 45 FOREIGNERS, TWO LOCALS UNDER OPS SERKAP IN PASIR MAS

KOTA BHARU, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) Kelantan and Putrajaya managed to arrest a total of 45 foreigners and two locals through Ops Serkap carried out around Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, yesterday.

Kelantan Immigration deputy director (management) Nik Akhtarulhaq Nik Abdul Rahman said the police arrested 13 Indonesian men and 22 women, eight Thai men and one woman, a Myanmar man and two Malaysian men.

"The operation, which started at 9 pm, also comprised 15 officers of various ranks from the state Enforcement Division and the Putrajaya headquarters.

"Acting on intelligence and surveillance, his team had conducted checks on foreigners who used the 'Road Tour' van service on the pedestrian path in front of the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS)," he said in a statement today.

He said all the foreigners, aged between 23 and 67, suspected to have violated the rules and laws were taken to the Tanah Merah Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.

"Every employer should employ foreigners who have a valid pass and remind the public to come forward to channel information of any illegal activities of foreigners. 

"Strict and uncompromising action will be taken against any party who masterminds, facilitates and abets in protecting these illegal immigrants," he said.

-- BERNAMA