IMMIGRATION authorities detained 104 undocumented migrants, including nine infants and young children, in a large-scale operation carried out in the Larkin area of Johor early this morning.
The two-hour integrated operation, which began at 2am, was launched following intelligence gathering and public tip-offs regarding the presence of illegal squatter settlements believed to house foreign nationals.
“During the raid, most of the undocumented migrants were found sleeping,” said Johor Immigration Director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus. “The majority of those detained were Indonesian nationals, many of them originally from Madura.”
The operation covered several known settlement areas, including Jalan Tawakal, Jalan Dato’ Onn Jaafar, and Jalan Pujaan. A total of 231 individuals were screened, with several attempting to flee as officers moved in.
According to Mohd Rusdi, 50 Indonesian men and 40 Indonesian women were detained, along with three Indonesian boys, six Indonesian girls, and one Filipino woman. The ages of those apprehended ranged from two months to 63 years.
The offences committed included overstaying and failure to produce valid travel documentation, in violation of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The operation involved 123 officers and personnel from the Johor Immigration Department, supported by four officials from the National Registration Department.
All detainees have been transported to the Immigration Detention Depot at the Ministry of Home Affairs Complex in Setia Tropika for further investigation and action. - September 28, 2025
