KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — The Immigration Department detained 181 foreign nationals for various immigration offences during an integrated operation at Jalan Raja Bot, or Chow Kit Market, here this morning.

Immigration Department deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said the operation began at 9.40 am and involved checks on 512 foreign nationals.

“A total of 181 foreign nationals were detained for various immigration offences, including lacking valid travel documents, overstaying, and pass misuse,” he told reporters at the scene today.

He said those detained included 147 Indonesians, 20 Bangladeshis, five Nepalese, three Indians, one Pakistani and five others from various countries, aged between 10 and 55. All detainees were brought to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot for further action.

The integrated operation also involved Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), the National Registration Department, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and the Royal Malaysia Police.

Lokman Effendi said Raja Bot Market is among 224 hotspots nationwide under continuous monitoring by the authorities.

He said this was the second operation at the location this year after intelligence gathering to determine the right time for an enforcement operation.

Operations will continue if immigration law violations persist, and no area will be exempt from enforcement, he said.

He added that enforcement actions are not limited to foreign nationals, as employers and premises owners who break the law will also face legal consequences.

“We remind employers not to commit any offences under the Immigration Act, as they will also be liable to legal action under this Act.

“Locals attempting to assist these foreign nationals can also be acted against, as harbouring undocumented foreign nationals in our country constitutes an offence,” he said.

Lokman Effendi said foreign nationals legally residing in the country need not worry, as enforcement operations target only those who violate the law. — Bernama

* Editor’s note: DBKL stands for Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur in Malay, while KPDN stands for Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup.