A Bangladeshi man believed to be an undocumented migrant was injured after slipping down a hillside while attempting to flee an Immigration Department operation at an iron ore mining site in Bukit Besi yesterday.
The man, believed to be in his 30s, suffered injuries to his head, hands and legs in the incident, which occurred at about 8am.
Immigration enforcement officers immediately provided emergency treatment before detaining him. He was later reported to be in stable condition.
Immigration Department deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said the man was among 49 foreigners detained for various immigration offences during the operation at the mining site.
Those detained comprised 24 Bangladeshis, 17 Indonesians, seven Myanmar nationals and one Indian national. Six women and two children, aged between 10 months and 66 years, were also among those detained.
Lokman Effendi said the operation involved officers using vehicles that were not registered to the Immigration Department as part of a disguise tactic to prevent the raid from being detected.
“The tactic was used to avoid alerting the foreigners believed to be working at the iron ore mine, which is estimated to be about two kilometres from the main road,” he said here today.
The operation highlights the challenges faced by enforcement authorities when conducting raids at remote industrial and mining locations, particularly where workers may attempt to escape through difficult terrain.
All 49 individuals are being investigated for suspected immigration offences, with further action to be taken according to the relevant laws.
