Johor bahru: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) detained 27 foreign workers without valid permits in Ops Selera at a food premises in Bandar Baru Permas Jaya here on Monday. Johor JIM director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the integrated operation, involving 25 officers from the department’s enforcement division, was conducted as a result of intelligence and public information regarding their activities at the premises.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the arrests involved eight Indonesian men and eight women, five Myanmar men, and six women aged between 18 and 50. “All of them are suspected of committing offences under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963 as well as Regulation 11(7)(a) of the Immigration Regulations 1963,” Mohd Rusdi stated. A local man who owns the premises was also detained under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for harbouring foreigners.

Mohd Rusdi further explained that all the detainees were placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot for investigation and further action. They were also issued three notices to appear at the Immigration Department to assist in the ongoing investigation. He emphasized the importance of public compliance with immigration laws, warning against harboring or employing illegal immigrants, as legal action would be taken against offenders.

The director advised employers to contact the nearest immigration office directly for accurate information regarding the employment of foreign workers, cautioning against relying on unauthorized parties claiming to manage foreign workers.