In Malaysia, a car carrying 5 illegal Myanmar nationals caused a traffic accident while fleeing from a police checkpoint, resulting in the arrest of 2 Myanmar nationals; 33 illegal Myanmar nationals were also arrested in Selangor

Yangon, July 8 A BMW car carrying five illegal Myanmar nationals caused a traffic accident after fleeing from a police checkpoint in Pahang, Malaysia, resulting in the arrest of two Myanmar women and one Malaysian driver, according to the Malaysian police. The incident occurred around 4:30 PM on July 6, along the Lipis–Merapoh road in the Padang Tengku area of Pahang state. The BMW, traveling from Kelantan towards Kuala Lumpur, spotted a police checkpoint ahead and sped away towards Lipis, as stated in the Malaysian police report. According to the police, the vehicle lost control approximately 5 kilometers from the checkpoint and collided with a water tank near a restaurant. It was revealed that the car was carrying a total of five individuals: three Myanmar women and two Myanmar men, all of whom had entered the country illegally. The traffic accident resulted in injuries to the 45-year-old Malaysian driver and two Myanmar women, who were subsequently arrested and detained by the police. The remaining three Myanmar nationals, two men and one woman, escaped from the scene and are currently being sought. The two arrested Myanmar women and the three who escaped are being prosecuted for illegal entry and residence in Malaysia without valid travel permits. Furthermore, the Malaysian driver is under investigation for reckless driving, obstructing police duty, and transporting illegal foreigners, the police announced. In a separate operation, immigration authorities and local officials conducted a surprise inspection of businesses and shops in the Puchong area of Selangor on July 7. This operation led to the arrest of 33 Myanmar nationals for violating immigration laws, as reported by the Selangor Immigration Department. The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) and the Immigration Department in the vicinity of Kampung Sri Langkas Tambahan and Jalan Jurutera. Among those arrested were 20 Myanmar men and 13 Myanmar women. Authorities stated that the arrested Myanmar nationals were found to have violated immigration laws, including residing and working illegally in Malaysia without passports, visas, or work permits, having expired visas and permits, and using work permits for purposes other than those intended. Currently, the 33 arrested Myanmar nationals have been transferred to relevant immigration detention centers for further legal action under immigration laws, according to the Malaysian Immigration Department's statement.