KOTA TINGGI: Police have detained 171 undocumented illegal immigrants, who were walking in a district here in a large group, causing public concern.
A video depicting the illegal immigrants went viral on social media last night, sparking unease in the community.
Kota Tinggi District Police Chief, Superintendent Hussin Zamora said the incident occurred last Wednesday.
He said following a police report by the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), a police team was dispatched to the scene for further investigation.
"Yes, the viral video is from the incident that occurred last week. They are believed to be heading to the Bayu Damai Police Station to file a police report after being deceived by job agents who did not provide employment.
"The incident occurred last Wednesday morning when hundreds of Bangladeshis were spotted walking in front of the entrance intersection, Teluk Ramunia Bayu Damai, here.
"As a result of the investigation by the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM), a total of 171 male Bangladeshi nationals aged between 19 and 43 years were detained for further investigation under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63," he said in a statement today.
In the 1 minute and 33 second viral video, a driver was surprised to encounter an extensive line of foreign nationals, which raised public concerns due to the overwhelming presence of foreign nationals.
Meanwhile, Hussin said all the captured foreign nationals have been sent to the Setia Tropika Immigration Department in Johor Bahru for further investigation.