A Myanmar couple paid RM6,000 to a suspected Thai boat operator to bring them and their two children into Malaysia through an illegal sea route, according to the woman.
The couple, who are suspected of being undocumented migrants, were detained alongside other foreigners during Op Sasar conducted by the Immigration Department and National Registration Department (JPN) at Apartment Suteramas.
The operation began at about 10.30pm and saw enforcement officers inspecting 330 foreign nationals, with 248 subsequently detained for further investigation.
The Myanmar woman said the RM6,000 payment was made to arrange for her family to leave Myanmar before continuing their journey by sea towards Malaysia.
According to her, the arrangements were handled by her husband with the help of a Thai national believed to be acting as a boat operator. The individual was allegedly paid to transport the family and several other people from Myanmar to Malaysia.
She said the family did not travel together at the same time. Her husband first entered Malaysia with their 14-year-old son, while she later followed with their seven-year-old daughter.
The family was subsequently smuggled into Malaysia by boat through Langkawi and had remained in the country for about a year and a half. She said they were currently attempting to obtain refugee status through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The woman added that she and her husband had since found work at a furniture factory in the Kajang area and were renting a room for RM500 a month.
Meanwhile, another Myanmar woman, aged 24, claimed she paid RM3,000 to a Malaysian man believed to be a land operator to help her enter the country through an illegal border route.
She said she was introduced to the man through a friend before using his services to cross into Malaysia. She reportedly entered through an illegal route along the Malaysia-Thailand border near Sungai Golok, Kelantan, before continuing her journey by car.
The woman said she had been in Malaysia for about five months and was working at a factory in the area.
During the operation, several foreign nationals were reportedly seen attempting to evade enforcement officers after noticing their presence. Some allegedly hid inside residential units, while others appeared to pretend they had not noticed the inspection.
The authorities are continuing investigations into the individuals detained, including the arrangements and networks believed to have facilitated their entry into Malaysia.
