PERAK IMMIGRATION ARRESTS 26 FOREIGN NATIONALS

IPOH, July 19 (Bernama) -- The Perak Immigration Department arrested 26 foreign nationals believed to have committed offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963 around the districts of Kinta, Perak Tengah, Hilir Perak and Bagan Datuk.

Its director, Meor Hezbullah Meor Abd Malik said the suspects, aged between 18 and 49, were arrested via various operations codenamed Ops Selera, Ops Dandan, Ops Jaja, Ops Sapu, Ops Kutip and Ops Gegar, involving the inspection of 15 residential, business, hotel and reflexology premises as well as along the road sides.

In a statement today, he said all operations were carried out by the Ipoh Immigration enforcement division and Teluk Intan Immigration Office enforcement unit from 9 am yesterday till 3.30 am today.

He said inspections were conducted on 63 people at the said premises and found 26 foreign nationals including 11 Indonesians, Myanmar (six), Bangladesh (three), India (three), Thailand (two) and Sri Lanka (one) suspected of committing the offences.

Meor Hezbullah said all the foreigners have been detained at the Ipoh Immigration Depot and the Langkap Immigration Detention Depot for the purpose of investigations and further action in accordance with the legal process for committing an offence under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, namely entering and staying in Malaysia without a valid pass.

At the same time, the investigation under Section 15(1)(c) of the same act is to have stayed or been in Malaysia after the expiration of the valid pass issued and the offence under Regulation 39(b), Immigration Regulations 1963 is to have violated their passport conditions which had been issued.

Therefore, he also said his side is grateful for the information provided by the public and hopes that the public will file reports or complaints to help the Immigration Department to combat the presence of illegal immigrants as well as the immoral activities of foreigner nationals in the country.

"The Immigration Department will also take strict action, including prosecution in court, against any employer or individual who employs or protects illegal immigrants," he added.

-- BERNAMA