Kuala lumpur: Immigration Department (JIM) detained 124 illegal immigrants in an integrated operation held to clean up an influx of foreigners at a wholesale shopping centre in Jalan Chow Kit here today. Kuala Lumpur JIM Director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said the operation began at 12.30 pm until about 2 pm, following public complaints regarding illegal business activities and the swarm of foreigners.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the department checked 205 individuals and detained 124 undocumented immigrants aged 20 to 29, involving 59 Pakistanis, 37 Bangladeshis, 12 Indonesians, 10 Myanmars, five Indians, and one Thai. Wan Mohammed Saupee said initial investigations show many foreigners were abusing the conditions of their work passes by having residential addresses outside KL, in Kelantan, Johor, Melaka, and Penang.

He stated that some claimed to be on holiday, but this is believed to be an evasive tactic while actually working there. Investigations also involve the employers who hired them. Following the operation, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) issued six compound notices and ordered the closure of several outlets for operating without a licence and hiring foreigners.

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) issued seven compounds totalling RM6,500 mainly for failing to display price tags. Director (corporate compliance division) of the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) Norhaiza Jemon reported that 115 business premises were inspected with 25 offences detected.