Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) detained 9,497 foreign nationals for various offences as part of 2,618 enforcement operations conducted nationwide from Jan 1 to March 9 this year. Its director-general, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, said of this number, 1,158 individuals were detained for offences under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, for abusing the conditions of their passes.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, most of the detainees were found to be abusing the facilities provided by the passes, specifically the Temporary Employment Pass (PLKS) and Social Visit Pass (PLS), for activities that were not in accordance with the conditions of the passes. "The immigration authorities take seriously the involvement of a small number of foreign nationals who are detected abusing the PLS to enter as tourists but instead engage in work activities at premises such as restaurants or factories," Zakaria stated in a press release.

Zakaria revealed that the five nationalities with the highest number of detainees for violating pass terms were from Bangladesh with 532 people, followed by Thailand (248), Indonesia (111), China (86), and Pakistan (51).

Elaborating further, Zakaria mentioned that out of the 1,158 arrests, 482 individuals were detained for abusing the PLS. This included 235 Thai nationals, followed by Bangladesh (83), China (62), Indonesia (62), Pakistan (13), and 27 nationals from other countries. Preliminary investigations found that some of these individuals were actively involved in the management and operation of business premises without valid authorisation.

"The Malaysian Immigration Department emphasises that enforcement actions will continue to be intensified and no compromises will be made against foreign nationals who misuse the country's immigration facilities," Zakaria added.