SERDANG: Operations at the Selangor Wholesale Market– known to be a focal point for foreign workers, especially from Myanmar and Bangladesh– were interrupted when the Selangor Immigration Department carried out a raid in the early hours of the morning, today.
At about 3am, authorities from the Selangor Immigration Department raided the wholesale market and inspected 530 foreigners.
The situation at the market became chaotic when the foreigners learnt about the raid and some even ran to the middle of the main road trying to cross the road to escape authorities.
Two others who tried to hide inside a monsoon drain were also detected by authorities combing the surrounding area for escapees.
Selangor Immigration Department director Khairrul Aminus Kamaruddin said the joint operation was carried out in collaboration with the Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Serdang police headquarters, National Registration Department (JPN) Selangor, and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).
"We inspected a total of 530 foreign nationals, including 11 women. The inspection revealed that most of them had committed offenses related to not having valid travel documents, misuse of passes, and overstaying," he told reporters after the operation.
Also present at the raid was Subang Jaya Mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim.
Khairrul said investigations will be conducted under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, Section 15(1)(c) of the same act, and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 on all those detained.
He added that all detainees would be taken to the Selangor Immigration Department office for further examination and investigation.