Kuala lumpur: The Immigration Department (JIM) detained 109 foreign construction workers during a raid at a commercial building in Jalan Ampang here yesterday, uncovering an attempt to convert several units into an exclusive entertainment club. Its director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the raid, conducted at 11.45 am, followed three weeks of intelligence gathering prompted by public complaints over the growing presence of foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals, in the area.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 120 people were inspected by 58 immigration officers during the raid at Level 18 of Tower 1 and Level 24 of Tower 3 of the building. "During the raid, the foreign nationals were found actively carrying out renovation works at several units believed to be used as an exclusive entertainment club. The premises were being fitted with multi-layered security systems and tightly controlled access points to avoid detection by the authorities," said Zakaria.

Preliminary investigations revealed that most of those detained were holding social visit passes but were working without authorisation. Some were also suspected of overstaying, while others failed to produce valid travel documents. Zakaria stated that the detainees comprised 78 Chinese men and 31 men from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India, aged between 30 and 43.

The individuals were arrested for various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963. They have been taken to an Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation. Additionally, a local man believed to be the manager overseeing the presence of the foreign nationals at the premises was also detained.

Zakaria noted that the department has issued a Witness Summons (Form 29) to a supervisor of the building's Joint Management Body to assist in the investigation.