Immigration Department Detains 471 Illegal Immigrants Nationwide Over Five Days

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Bernama) -- The Immigration Department detained 471 illegal immigrants in 179 enforcement operations nationwide over a five-day period since last Monday.

Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operations, conducted across various high-traffic locations, also led to the detention of 31 employers suspected of hiring or harbouring the foreign nationals.

He said that during this period, a total of 1,494 individuals, comprising both locals and foreigners, were inspected.

"The detained illegal immigrants are suspected of committing various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and related regulations," he said in a statement today.

Zakaria noted that four states recorded the highest number of operations during the period, led by Johor with 52 operations, followed by Perak (36 operations), Kedah (25 operations), and Putrajaya (22 operations).

He added that the main focus of the operations was to ensure foreign nationals comply with the conditions of their granted passes, as well as to curb pass abuse, including involvement in illegal business activities.

"Failure to comply with pass conditions can not only lead to the cancellation of the pass but can also result in detention, prosecution, and deportation from the country," he said.

-- BERNAMA