KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Immigration Department has detained 106 illegal immigrants in an operation carried out at 12.30am today at Pangsapuri Seri Cempaka, Rawang.
Immigration Department Deputy Director-General (Operations) Jafri Embok Taha said 468 individuals were screened, resulting in the detention of 106 undocumented immigrants aged between six months and 49 years for various offences.
"Among those examined were 174 men, 79 women, 27 boys, and 20 girls, comprising citizens from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Pakistan, while the rest were local citizens.
"This action was taken in response to public complaints regarding suspected illegal immigrants residing in the residential area without valid passports and identification documents.
"The identified offences include lack of identification documents, overstaying, and other violations of the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, and Immigration Regulations 1963," he said in a statement.
He added that the rural location of the operation posed challenges due to blocked access routes in the residential area with haphazardly parked vehicles, making it difficult for operational vehicles to reach the target.
"The operation targeted eight blocks of five-story low-cost apartment buildings, consisting of 80 to 100 housing units per block.
"All detainees have been placed in the Immigration Depot in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, for further investigation and follow-up actions."
Jafri shared that the operation was executed with the involvement of 309 officers from various divisions, some of them including the Enforcement Division, Expatriate Services Division, Management Services Division, Security and Passport Division, along with 12 officers from the National Registration Department, and 10 members of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force.