KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- The Immigration Department detained 59 foreigners in an enforcement operation at eight business premises across Selangor today.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation, which began at 1 pm, was conducted following reports that foreigners were using business premises as accommodation and hiding places to avoid detection by the authorities.
He said the operation involved 17 officers of various ranks from the Enforcement Division of the Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya, following two weeks of intelligence gathering and public complaints about the premises.
"During the operation, 152 individuals were inspected, comprising 75 Malaysians and 77 foreigners. Of the foreigners, 59, comprising 53 men and six women, were detained on suspicion of committing various immigration offences," he said in a statement today.
He said the offences detected included failing to possess valid travel documents, overstaying and misusing passes issued to them.
Zakaria said three Form 29 notices, or witness summonses, were also issued to individuals found at the locations to assist in further investigations.
"All those detained have been placed at Immigration detention depots for investigation and further action under the Immigration Act 1959/63 [Act 155] and the Immigration Regulations 1963," he said.
He said the tactic of using business premises as hiding places would not deter the department from intensifying intelligence gathering, monitoring and enforcement operations to identify those who violated the country's laws.
"Firm action without compromise will also be taken against any employers, premises owners or other parties found to have employed, housed or harboured undocumented migrants, in accordance with existing laws.
"The department will not compromise on any breach of immigration laws and will continue to conduct enforcement operations to ensure compliance with the country's regulations and laws," he said.
-- BERNAMA