KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Immigration Department rounded up 23 illegal immigrants during a raid at an entertainment outlet in Ampang yesterday.
The detainees – comprising both patrons and workers at the outlet – were found to have overstayed in the country or been without documentation.
The group is made up of nine men and 14 women aged between 23 and 37.
Selangor Immigration deputy assistant director Ramli Othman said the operation was conducted following a tip-off from members of the public.
The one-hour raid took place while the karaoke joint was packed with foreigners who were drinking alcohol and possibly abusing drugs.
“When the raiding team ambushed the premises, most of the customers were unaware of their presence as they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
“When they finally realised it was the Immigration Department, some of the illegal immigrants made up stories that they had left their documents at home, or pretended that their documents were in their bags placed in another room,” he said.
The operation was jointly conducted with personnel from the Hulu Langat Islamic Religious office and the Selangor National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada).
The raid was part of a nationwide operation launched following the end of the registration process for the Enforcement Card (E-Card). Errant foreign workers and their employers who had failed to apply for E-Cards will now face stern action under the Immigration Act.