A popular night market in Taman Maluri, Kuala Lumpur, known for attracting large numbers of foreign nationals, was raided by the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) on Sunday, resulting in the detention of 200 suspected illegal immigrants.
The operation, codenamed Op Kutip, was carried out by the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Immigration Department with assistance from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) following two weeks of intelligence gathering and public complaints.
The enforcement operation, which began at 6pm, saw many suspected illegal immigrants attempting to flee after spotting immigration officers. Some also tried to hide but were successfully tracked down by enforcement personnel.
Kuala Lumpur Immigration Director Hamsha Injau said officers inspected 500 individuals, comprising 407 foreign nationals and 93 Malaysians, during the operation.
Of those detained, 125 were men and 75 were women, involving nationals from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Pakistan and India.
Hamsha said the location was targeted following numerous complaints from local residents, who claimed the area had become heavily frequented by foreign nationals.
Among the offences detected were not possessing valid travel documents, overstaying, abusing visit passes, and violating the conditions of immigration passes.
He added that, besides Taman Maluri, the Immigration Department is also monitoring other night markets across Kuala Lumpur that have become gathering spots for foreign nationals.
Hamsha stressed that enforcement efforts would continue throughout the capital to ensure foreigners who violate immigration laws are brought to justice.
He also emphasised that enforcement action is not limited to illegal immigrants, but also targets employers, business owners, agents, syndicates and anyone found harbouring or protecting undocumented migrants.
“The department will not compromise on any violation of immigration laws and will continue to carry out enforcement operations professionally, with integrity and in accordance with the law,” he said.
Hamsha also urged members of the public to continue providing information to the Immigration Department regarding activities that violate Malaysia’s immigration regulations.
