KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department arrested 68 people, including one local, during a joint operation dubbed Ops Gegar and Ops Dandan at seven locations around Johor Baru, Johor on Sunday.
Its director general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the operation were conducted by the Special Tactical Team (PASTAK) from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division, Immigration headquarters in Putrajaya, and a team of officers from the Enforcement Division of the Johor Immigration Department.
He said during the operation, the teams arrested 14 Indonesians, comprising 13 females and one male, 16 Vietnamese females, one Filipino male, 34 Myanmar nationals (24 males and 10 females), and one male Pakistani national.
"In addition, a local male and a 51-year-old Vietnamese female, believed to be caretakers of the premises, were also detained. Those arrested were between 19 to 51 in age," said Ruslin in a statement today.
He said intitial investigations revealed that these foreigners were using the Social Visit Pass (PLS) and Temporary Work Visit Pass (PLKS) to work with different employers or companies in the country.
"Some of them were found without any travel documents or valid passports to stay in the country."
Ruslin said the teams also seized a bunch of keys, six Vietnamese passports, 19 towels, seven sets of massage equipment, two sets of nail care tools, a smartphone, several customer record books and RM844 in cash.
"These premises were believed to have been operating for over a year, generating an income of approximately RM140,000 a day and reaching up to RM4.2 million per month.
"The foreigners working at these premises were reportedly paid salaries ranging from RM1,500 to RM2,000 a month by their employers," said Ruslin.
Her said the foreigners were detained on suspicion of violating the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966 and Immigration Regulations 1963 and are currently held at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot in Johor.
"The local male was detained for suspected offences under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 while the Vietnamese female was detained under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63, Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966 and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
"Thirteen attendance notices were also issued to individuals during the operation to assist in the investigation," said Ruslin.
He said the department would not compromise towards any foreigners who abuse the passes and facilities provided.
"Actions will be taken against employers and owners of premises owners hiring foreigners without proper travel documents and valid passports.
"The department also advises employers to engage foreign workers through legal channels. It remains committed to intensifying enforcement operations to combat illegal immigrants in the country," said Ruslin.