From Malay Mail · · 1m 20s
173 foreign workers detained at Sepang construction site
Putrajaya Immigration arrested foreign nationals for visa violations after public complaints and intelligence gathering.
In brief
Putrajaya Immigration arrested foreign nationals for visa violations after public complaints and intelligence gathering. Employers were caught misusing work permits and social visit passes to illegally hire foreign workers at a major construction site. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Major immigration raid in Sepang
Putrajaya Immigration detained 173 foreign nationals at a construction site for a hangar and aircraft testing facility near a motorsports complex.
Operation followed public complaints
The enforcement action came after public complaints and a week of intelligence gathering in the area.
88 officers checked 261 people
Immigration Director-General Zakaria Shaaban deployed 88 officers who inspected 217 foreign nationals and 44 locals, including subcontractor workers.
Most detainees were Bangladeshi men
Of the 173 arrested, 147 were Bangladeshi men, 17 were Indonesian, and nine were Pakistani, all aged 23 to 40.
Employers misused work permits
Companies hired foreign workers using Temporary Employment Visit Passes issued to other firms and misused Social Visit Passes to deceive authorities.
Detainees sent to KLIA depot
Five locals received witness summonses while foreign nationals were taken to the KLIA Immigration Detention Depot for investigation.
Enforcement to continue across sectors
Immigration will keep monitoring construction, logistics, and aviation support industries, taking action against employers who hire or harbour illegal immigrants.
“Action will be taken against any party found to be violating immigration laws, including employers or those who hire and harbour illegal immigrants”
The takeaway
Employers were caught misusing work permits and social visit passes to illegally hire foreign workers at a major construction site.
