SEEKING employment emerged as the most common reason cited by foreign nationals found in possession of counterfeit Malaysian identity cards, in a case that has sparked renewed attention on document fraud.
The operation, conducted at an electronics factory in Telok Panglima Garang on Wednesday, was carried out jointly by the National Registration Department (JPN), the Immigration Department (JIM), and the Labour Department (JTK) under the initiative known as Op Vape.
The crackdown, which began at 7.30pm, aimed to prevent and combat the falsification of identity documents, particularly MyKad, and to address the misuse of others’ identification for employment purposes.
One of the detainees, a 37-year-old Indonesian woman named Nulina, explained that she was introduced to an agent by a friend to obtain a fake MyKad for RM300.
Speaking in a subdued tone to reporters after her detention, she said, “I made this IC with a friend and bought it from him. He told me if I want to work, I need to buy the IC. I just used it because I wanted to work… I didn’t know it was wrong.” Nulina is a mother of two.
Another detainee, 25-year-old Murni, also from Indonesia, claimed she had to use a copy of someone else’s MyKad to secure employment.
“I came here in 2024 after being promised a job as a domestic helper by an agent, but when I arrived, nothing happened. I did various jobs, worked in restaurants.
“Then a friend suggested working in this factory and using her IC to get the job. I only used a photocopy and didn’t pay anything. When I applied, the boss didn’t say anything; I applied and got the job,” she said.
Both women were among 15 Indonesian nationals detained during the operation.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the operation followed three weeks of surveillance and successfully uncovered cases of fake identity possession and misuse of others’ identity cards.
“The action under JPN is in accordance with the National Registration Regulations 1990, which carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both,” he explained.
He added that under the Immigration Department’s purview, investigations would cover those who entered Malaysia illegally without documents, those holding expired or misused work permits, and overstayers under the Immigration Act 1959/63, while the Labour Department would enforce the Employment Act 1955.
Saifuddin emphasised that authorities would examine all aspects of the case, including identifying the syndicates and the broader ecosystem behind such illegal activities.
“This joint operation will allow us to open investigations by collecting all relevant information and company documents relating to where these workers were recruited from,” he said.
He stressed that the government takes any form of document falsification seriously, noting that such offences pose significant implications for national security.
Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias, Director-General of JPN, was also present at the press briefing at the scene of the raid. - January 15, 2026
