BUSINESS AS USUAL IN BUKIT BINTANG A DAY AFTER RAID
Immigration chief calls on enforcement agencies to work together to tackle problem
HUNDREDS of illegal immigrants were nabbed in a major swoop by the Immigration Department on Jalan Alor and Jalan Changkat, Bukit Bintang here, on Tuesday.
Surprisingly, the crackdown did not deter those who escaped during the raid from returning to resume businesses yesterday. Checks by the New Straits
Times found small businesses run by immigrants in the two streets were operating as usual.
Authorities were aware of the high number of illegal immigrants who run businesses in the city centre, said Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali, but synergistic cooperation was needed among enforcement agencies to cripple the activities.
“The public cannot rely on us to capture them all. Other enforcement agencies must work together to root out the problem.
“For instance, the Companies Commission of Malaysia can revoke licences of locals who rent their premises to illegals.
“The same goes for those who hire illegals to work on their premises. Premises that do not adhere to the law must be closed down for good.”
He said he was aware that a lot of immigrants ran away and left premises unattended when the enforcement team moved in during the raid.
“We will go hard on them and ensure that those who have fled are arrested and deported.”
He said the department would conduct regular raids at the two streets as they were popular with tourists.
“A lot of tourists go to the Bukit Bintang area to shop, but it does not reflect the Malaysian identity as it is full of illegal immigrants.
“Tourists buy from workers who are illegally staying in the country... this is unacceptable.”
On Tuesday, almost 1,000 immigrants were checked and 440 arrested for various offences, including staying illegally, misusing work permits and not having valid travel documents.
The three-hour operation also involved the police’s General Operations Force, City Hall and Companies Commission.
Those arrested included individuals from Bangladesh, Oman, Nepal, Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia and India.