The Johor Immigration Department (JIM) detained 72 foreign nationals for various offences during an integrated operation carried out at several premises and food courts in the city yesterday.
Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation was conducted jointly with the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Johor.
He said the operation was based on intelligence and continuous monitoring aimed at detecting and curbing illegal activities involving foreigners under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
The coordinated raid targeted multiple food outlets and uncovered foreign workers suspected of working without valid permits as well as misusing social visit passes.
A total of 72 foreign workers were detained following inspections on both employees and employers during the operation.
Those detained comprised 17 Myanmar men, four Indonesian men, three Vietnamese men, 37 Vietnamese women, one Chinese woman and 10 Indonesian women working in food establishments, including as servers and cooks.
Authorities said the detainees were aged between 19 and 46 years old.
All individuals are being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and related regulations.
They have been sent to the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot for further investigation and action.
Officials also issued five witness summons forms during the inspection to assist in ongoing investigations.
