KOTA BHARU: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) Kelantan and Putrajaya successfully apprehended 45 foreigners and two locals during Ops Serkap, an operation conducted in the Rantau Panjang area of Pasir Mas yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan Immigration deputy director (management) Nik Akhtarulhaq Nik Abdul Rahman reported the arrest of 13 Indonesian men and 22 women, eight Thai men and one woman, a Myanmar man, and two Malaysian men. The operation commenced at 9 pm and involved 15 officers of various ranks from both the state Enforcement Division and the Putrajaya headquarters.

The arrests were made following intelligence and surveillance efforts, focusing on foreigners utilizing the ‘Road Tour’ van service on the pedestrian path in front of the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex (ICQS). All the detained foreigners, aged between 23 and 67, are suspected of violating rules and laws and have been taken to the Tanah Merah Immigration Depot for furt
her investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.

Nik Akhtarulhaq emphasized the importance of employers ensuring that foreign workers possess valid passes and urged the public to report any illegal activities involving foreigners. He warned that strict and uncompromising actions would be taken against those who mastermind, facilitate, or abet in protecting illegal immigrants.