Operation in Kuala Lumpur Night Market Arrests 200 Illegal Workers Including Myanmar Nationals, 130 Myanmar Nationals Sent Back from Johor

Yangon, July 6 Authorities conducted an "Ops Paci" (Operation Paci) raid at the Taman Maluri night market in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, arresting 200 illegal foreign workers, including Myanmar nationals, the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department announced. Around 6 PM on July 5, immigration officials and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) jointly launched the "Ops Paci" operation at the Taman Maluri night market in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, after two weeks of covert surveillance. A large number of personnel were deployed for surprise searches and inspections. During the inspections, a total of 500 individuals, including 407 foreigners and 93 Malaysian citizens in the vicinity of the night market, were checked. It was reported that 200 illegal foreign workers, including Myanmar nationals who had violated immigration laws, were arrested (125 males and 75 females). The 200 arrested individuals included nationals from Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, and India. Authorities stated that the arrests were made due to violations of immigration regulations, such as lacking valid visas and documentation for residing in Malaysia, overstaying visa terms, and misusing tourist visas and work permits. Currently, the 200 arrested foreigners, including Myanmar nationals, have been taken to the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department headquarters in Jalan Duta for detailed investigations. Those confirmed to have violated the law will be transferred to the Immigration Detention Centre in Bukit Jalil for further action. Furthermore, 270 foreign nationals, including 130 Myanmar nationals who had completed their sentences, were repatriated to their respective countries from the Pekan Nanas Immigration Detention Centre in Johor state, according to a statement from the Johor State Immigration Department. On July 6, it was reported that 270 illegal migrant workers from various countries, who were detained at the Pekan Nanas Immigration Detention Centre in Johor state and had completed their sentences, were sent back to their respective countries from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Pasir Gudang Port. Among the 270 illegal migrant workers repatriated, Myanmar nationals constituted the largest group with 130 individuals. The remaining individuals included 98 Indonesians, 9 Thais, 8 Bangladeshis, 8 Nepalis, 6 Vietnamese, and one each from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India. It has been informed that the 270 foreign nationals, including the 130 Myanmar nationals who were repatriated, have been blacklisted in the Malaysian Immigration Department's computer system and will not be allowed to re-enter Malaysia for any reason.