Over 40 illegals rounded up in Immigration ops

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 40 illegals were rounded up in an Immigration Department operation which focused on entertainment outlets and flats in the city.

“The operation was launched after a number of complaints and tip-offs were received from the public,” said Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafa Ali.

“We checked 189 foreigners during the operation which began at 11.30pm on Wednesday,” he added.

At the flats in Pudu, 21 foreigners were detained after being found without any documents.

“We detained 12 Myanmar men, a Pakistani man, an Indonesian man, and an Indian man.

“We also detained five Myanmar women and an Indian woman,” he said, adding that a simultaneous operation was conducted at an entertainment outlet along Jalan Kia Peng.

He said they checked a total of 45 people at the outlet and detained 24.

“They comprised 22 women – 20 Thais and two Uzbeks – and two Bangladeshi men.

“They did not have any documentation.”

He said such operations would be ongoing.

“We will also brief members of Parliament, state assemblies and mentris besar of our enforcement operations so that they know what is going on.

“The reason for this is to ensure that local governments play their role in enforcing the law.

“During our raid today we found that some of the flats were illegally renovated to house more residents,” he said, adding that officers also found a flat converted into an office.