132 illegal immigrants arrested in early morning raid in Setia Alam

Foreigners include 130 Indonesians and two Bangladeshis, violating various immigration offences

Immigration Department (operations) deputy director-general Jafri Embok Taha said a total of 156 foreigners were checked for various violations, of which 132 were eventually arrested. – Immigration Department pic, February 18, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR – The Immigration Department has arrested 132 illegal immigrants, comprising 41 women and 13 children, during a raid on an unauthorised settlement in Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, early this morning.

According to the Immigration Department, the arrests were carried out during a two-hour operation that started at 2.38am. 

In the operation, led by Immigration (operations) deputy director-general Jafri Embok Taha, a total of 156 foreigners were checked for various offences, out of which 132 were arrested.

“The detained foreigners include 130 Indonesians and two Bangladeshis. It is believed that all of them have been staying in the settlement to avoid checks by the authorities. Some also attempted to escape during the raid but were not successful,” he said in a statement.

The department also said that the enforcement operation was conducted in collaboration with various agencies, including the Shah Alam City Council, the General Operations Force (PGA), the National Registration Department (JPN), and the Malaysian Civil Defense Force.

Offences identified during the operation include the absence of identity documents, overstaying, and other violations of the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966, and the Immigration Regulations 1963.

“All detainees will be held at the Semenyih Immigration Depot for further action,” he added. – February 18, 2024