Setiawangsa: A total of 528 foreigners have been detained for various immigration offences under a special operation code named Op Sasar conducted at construction sites nationwide from last Tuesday until today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Immigration Department (JIM) Deputy Director-General (Enforcement) Datuk Basri Othman reported that 414 JIM officers and personnel, as well as individuals from the Royal Malaysia Police, National Registration Department, and National Anti-Drugs Agency, were involved in the operation. This initiative was launched in response to complaints and information from the public concerning the presence and activities of foreigners at the sites, which had caused unease and concern among local communities.

Basri stated, "A total of 678 individuals were screened in the operation. Of those inspected, 528 foreigners were detained for various immigration offences," during a press briefing at a raid location in Setiawangsa. The detained individuals included nationals from Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, China, and Burkina Faso, comprising 450 men and 78 women aged between 29 and 54. The identified offences ranged from failure to produce identification documents, violating pass conditions, overstaying, possessing unrecognised cards, and other infringements under the Immigration Act.

Furthermore, Basri disclosed that nine Form 29 (Summons to Witness) were issued to Malaysian citizens to aid in the ongoing investigation. Today's raid at a construction site in Setiawangsa also highlighted a new trend, as it was discovered that foreigners from African countries had begun working in the construction sector.

"In the raid, JIM detained two men from Burkina Faso and Togo who were working as construction labourers. This is something new and needs attention before it becomes widespread," Basri noted. The two men, both in their 30s, were reportedly paid RM70 a day by their employer and resided with other construction workers in a common quarters.