BUKIT MERTAJAM, Feb 21 — Two Myanmar nationals bulldoze and roughed up three Penang Immigration Department (JIPP) enforcement personnel in their bid to escape at a shopping complex here, today.

But their bid failed as JIPP enforcement personnel had surrounded the complex area, which was the focus of foreign nationals on weekends, under an integrated operation which started at 3pm.

JIPP deputy director, P. Selva said the duo were engrossed in picking clothes at an outlet and tried to make a run for it when they realised the presence of the enforcement personnel.

“Three JIPP enforcement members who tried to apprehend the duo fell after they were roughed up by the foreigners,” he said here today.

He said, other than the two men, JIPP also detained 82 individuals including 10 women, aged 18 to 45 years, and two male toddlers, aged one year and five years, respectively.

Selva said only eight of the 82 individuals worked at the complex but they failed to furnish valid travel documents and had no work permits.

“Those nabbed comprised 35 Myanmar nationals including four women, 11 Nepalese including two women, 14 Bangladeshi males, five Pakistani men, two husband and wife couples from Vietnam and Cambodia and 11 men with two women and two toddlers from Indonesia.

“Most failed to show travel documents, had overstayed, worked using social visit passes and had no working permits,” he said.

Selva said they were taken to the Seberang Jaya Immigration Office for documentation purposes before being sent to the Juru Detention Depot for further action.

He said the operation which ended at 5.30 pm was participated by 150 JIPP officers and personnel and assisted by the Seberang Perai Municipal Council and Malaysia Volunteers Corps. — Bernama