Malaysia detained 158 illegal immigrants, including Sri Lankans, for residing without valid visas or permits and overstaying their allowed duration.
The Malaysian National News Agency 'Bernama' quoted Perak Immigration Director Meor Hezbullah Meor Abdul Malik, stating that the illegal immigrants were arrested during a raid at the Bercham Flats in Perak.
Of the detainees, there were 83 men, 54 women, 8 boys, and 3 girls, ranging in age from 9 to 60 years, originating from Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
Meor Hezbullah mentioned that most of the individuals were renting apartments from local landlords, with approximately 560 units across 15 blocks inspected during the operation.
Among those detained was a 50-year-old Indonesian woman from Sumatra who had been working as a house cleaner without a permit for a year.
The arrests took place during a joint operation called 'Op Pintu,' involving 160 personnel from the state immigration department and Ulu Kinta General Operations Force, conducted in the early hours of the day.
Meor Hezbullah cautioned local homeowners against renting their properties to foreigners without proper authorization, highlighting that such actions could result in charges under Section 55(E) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, carrying a maximum fine of RM 30,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months or both.
Following the recent arrests, he mentioned that the department would investigate every homeowner who rented their units to undocumented immigrants.
