24 Myanmar nationals arrested for illegal stay and work in Malaysia

In Malaysia's Kedah state, an operation targeting illegal foreign workers resulted in the arrest of 42 foreigners, including 16 Myanmar nationals, according to a statement from the Kedah State Immigration Department. From June 29 to June 30, immigration officials and joint teams conducted surprise inspections at 10 shops and workplaces in the Kota Setar and Kubang Pasu districts of Kedah state, based on information provided by local residents, as part of three operation plans. During the inspections, a total of 87 individuals from Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Indonesia were checked, and 42 foreigners without valid visas and supporting documents were arrested. The statement indicated that those arrested included 16 Myanmar nationals (13 males, 3 females), 16 Indonesian nationals, 7 Bangladeshi nationals, and 3 Thai nationals. The arrested individuals, aged between 22 and 54, were apprehended under immigration law for reasons such as not possessing valid residency visas or work permits in Malaysia, overstaying their visa expiry, misusing tourist visas and work permits, and failing to present valid supporting documents during the inspection. Currently, the 42 arrested foreigners, including the 16 Myanmar nationals, have been transferred to the Belantik Immigration Detention Camp in Sik district, Kedah state, and further investigations and legal actions will be taken according to the law. Similarly, in Malaysia's Kelantan state, 8 Myanmar nationals who entered illegally via waterways were arrested by Malaysian authorities, according to a statement from the Kelantan State Marine Police. Around 12:20 AM on June 25, a suspicious boat was spotted by a Malaysian maritime joint security force during a surprise blockade and inspection in the Kelantan River near Pasir Pekan Hilir village in Tumpat district. The boat, which was traveling from Kuala Besar village towards Kota Bharu city with its lights off and at high speed, attempted to flee when pursued, but was eventually apprehended. Subsequently, during a search along the riverbank, 8 Myanmar nationals (5 males, 3 females) hiding in a bush were arrested. According to interrogations, the arrested individuals had entered Kelantan state illegally with the intention of working in factories in Kuala Lumpur, without valid travel documents. Furthermore, it was revealed through official interrogations that they had paid approximately 6,000 Malaysian Ringgit per Myanmar worker to brokers to facilitate their entry into Malaysia. Currently, the 8 arrested Myanmar nationals have been handed over to the Kelantan State Immigration Department and are undergoing further investigation and legal action under Malaysia's Immigration Act.