SERDANG – A group of foreigners used various tactics, including hiding in fish boxes and drains, to avoid being caught by the Immigration Department, but all in vain as they were arrested in an operation at the Selangor wholesale market early today.
The operation, conducted between 1am and 4pm, saw 72 foreigners arrested – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders (39), Bangladeshi (19), Myanmar national (9), Indonesian (3), Indian national (1) and Nepalese (1).
Deputy Home Minister I Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said said the suspects, aged between 20 and 50, were detained on suspicion of not having valid travel documents.
He said the UNHCR cards owned by some of them are also dubious.
“Further investigations have to be conducted to ascertain the validity of the cards and whether they have the necessary documents and work permits.
“They will be taken to the Selangor Immigration Department for further action.”
The operation, code-named Op Patuh, aims to monitor movement control order standard operating procedure compliance at the wholesale market.
Ismail said Op Patuh will continue to be conducted in an integrated manner by focusing on the misuse of approval letters issued by the relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
The operation also involves Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry participation.
Ministry enforcement director Azman Adam said 42,552 premises nationwide have been inspected since June 1 until yesterday, during which compounds amounting to RM2.03 million have been issued for various offences. – Bernama, June 26, 2021
