An alleged syndicate supplying undocumented foreign workers to employers has been uncovered after the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) arrested a Myanmar woman believed to be an illegal recruitment agent during a special operation in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Selangor.
The operation, conducted at 3.50pm on Saturday, followed intelligence gathered from an earlier joint enforcement operation between JIM and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said seven other Myanmar nationals were also detained during the raid after they were believed to have been waiting to be handed over to employers.
Those arrested comprised one man and seven women, aged between 29 and 56.
Preliminary investigations found that the suspected female agent was linked to a Myanmar man believed to be the mastermind of the syndicate, who had previously been arrested by the MACC during Op Crack, a joint operation with JIM.
Checks revealed that the main suspect held a Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) under the services sector, while several others had overstayed their visas. The remaining individuals were found to have no valid immigration passes or travel documents to remain in Malaysia.
During the operation, officers seized several Myanmar passports, copies of suspected fake PLKS documents, and various records believed to be linked to the illegal recruitment network.
Authorities also confiscated a Toyota Yaris, which investigators believe was used by the syndicate to transport and manage foreign workers.
Zakaria said investigations indicate the syndicate allegedly offered illegally obtained Temporary Employment Visit Passes (PLKS) believed to have been issued through a compromised Immigration Department foreign worker management system.
The syndicate is believed to have targeted undocumented migrants and individuals who had overstayed their visas before supplying them to employers seeking workers.
According to investigators, the group allegedly charged between RM8,000 and RM10,000 for each worker and had been operating since the beginning of this year.
The Myanmar woman is being investigated under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Section 12(1)(f) of the Passports Act 1966.
Meanwhile, four Myanmar women are being investigated under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act for overstaying, while one man and two women are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act for not possessing valid travel documents.
All eight suspects have been taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further investigation.
