Kedah: A total of 94 illegal immigrants were detained by the Kedah Immigration Department (JIM) during Ops Mahir and Ops Sapu at several locations in Kuala Muda, Kubang Pasu, and Langkawi yesterday and today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Kedah JIM conducted the operations following intelligence gathering and public tip-offs to track down foreign nationals suspected of violating immigration laws. A total of 22 premises were inspected, involving 227 people comprising both Malaysians and foreign nationals. Of these, 94 foreign nationals, comprising 84 men and 10 women, were apprehended. The detainees included 45 Bangladeshis, 26 Myanmar nationals, 18 Indonesians, and five Pakistanis.

The inspected premises included construction sites, kongsi houses, business premises, and residences in Sungai Petani, Kepala Batas, Jitra, Bukit Kayu Hitam, and Langkawi. The detainees, aged between 18 and 59, are suspected of committing offenses under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963, such as entering or remaining in Malaysia without valid passes or permits and violating the conditions of their passes.

Six Notices to Appear as a Witness (Form IMM.29) were also issued to assist in investigations. All detainees were taken to the Belantik Immigration Depot in Sik and Langkawi Immigration Depot for documentation, investigation, and further action.