Business premises and residential properties allegedly operating as elderly care centres while employing and harbouring illegal immigrants were raided by the Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) Johor last Saturday.
Johor Immigration Director Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation was carried out by enforcement officers from the Muar branch at around 6pm. The coordinated crackdown involved Ops Belanja, Ops Sapu and Ops Selera, targeting multiple locations including commercial units and residential houses.
He explained that the raids were conducted based on public tip-offs and intelligence gathering, reflecting ongoing enforcement efforts to curb illegal employment and residency. A total of 42 individuals were screened during the operation, with 27 foreign nationals subsequently detained.
Those arrested included six adult Indonesian men and 11 men from Myanmar, along with several minors comprising one Indonesian boy, one Myanmar boy and one Myanmar girl. Authorities also detained three Indonesian women and four Myanmar women, with ages ranging from as young as one month to 48 years old.
All detainees are believed to have committed offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63. The case highlights persistent concerns over the misuse of premises and the exploitation of undocumented migrants in various sectors.
Mohd Rusdi added that all individuals have been transferred to the Pekan Nenas Immigration Depot in Pontian for further investigation and necessary action. Authorities also issued a Form 29 notice, summoning a witness to assist in the investigation process.
The operation underscores the government’s continued commitment to enforcing immigration laws while addressing broader issues linked to illegal labour and unregulated care facilities.
