Melaka: A total of 170 illegal foreign workers were detained by the Melaka Immigration Department during an operation at two construction sites in Batu Berendam and Kota Laksamana today. State Immigration director Anirwan Fauzee Mohd Aini reported that those arrested, aged 25 to 40, were from various countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and China.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the operation involved screening 215 foreign workers, including nine Malaysians suspected of harbouring illegal immigrants. The operation experienced a brief chase at one of the sites when several workers attempted to evade capture by hiding on rooftops and behind piles of cement, as shared by Anirwan Fauzee Mohd Aini during a press briefing at Kota Laksamana after the two-hour operation concluded with the involvement of 68 department personnel.

The illegal workers were charged with various offences, such as not possessing valid identification documents, violating the terms of work visit passes, overstaying, and using unrecognised identification cards. Additionally, two summonses were issued to employers at both construction sites. The detainees are currently being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, and Immigration Regulations 1963. They have been sent to the Machap Umboo Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation and follow-up action.