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Sections of Bukit Bintang were locked down yesterday following a two-hour police raid that saw the arrest of 770 undocumented migrants
According to the New Straits Times, hundreds of suspected undocumented migrants — mostly from South and Southeast Asian countries — attempted to flee, but found that entry and exit points along Jalan Nagasari and Jalan Ceylon were sealed.
Codenamed Ops Belanja, the two-hour operation involved 106 immigration personnel from Putrajaya.
Officers fanned out across three blocks and screened 2,445 individuals, comprising locals and foreigners, including Bangladeshi, Myanmar, Indian, and Nepali nationals.
The case is being investigated under Immigration Act 1959/63, including Section 6(3), Section 15(4) and Regulation 39(b).
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Image via Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur/FacebookBesides working in menial and manual labour jobs, some migrants also ran shops that attracted others to the area
Immigration Department enforcement director Basri Othman said officers surveilled the area for three weeks before the raids following numerous complaints.
He said most were arrested for expired visas, not carrying valid identification papers, and working without permits.
Immigration enforcement director Basri Othman.
Image via Bernama via FMTDuring the raids, an illegal gambling den was also uncovered, with six to eight foreigners caught participating in online gambling
All detainees will be taken to the Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya for screening before deportation.
Basri said enforcement efforts will continue, and inspections on businesses would be stepped up to ensure the hiring of foreign workers with valid permits.
