PONTIAN: The State Immigration Department has detained eight foreigners of various nationalities in an operation against undocumented migrants working in eateries in the district yesterday.
In a joint operation with the Pontian Municipal Council at 11.40am, enforcement officers detained the eight men after inspecting 11 business premises.
The detainees, aged between 20 and 45 years old, included three Indonesians, a Bangladeshi, a Nepalese, a Pakistani, a Myanmar national, and an Indian national.
They had violated Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) for failing to produce valid documentation and Section 15(1)(c) of the same act for overstaying.
Johor Immigration Department director Baharuddin Tahir said the operation, codenamed 'Op Bersama,' was initiated following residents' complaints about the influx of foreigners in various areas in the district, especially in restaurants within housing estates.
"The officers conducted checks on 42 foreign and local people working at 11 premises, while the rest had valid documents. The eight men detained failed to do so.
"Op Bersama will be carried out statewide, with the collaboration of all relevant state enforcement agencies, to eradicate undocumented foreign nationals (PATI)," he said.
He added that the department will take stern actions against foreigners who abuse their visas and permits granted to them."
