JOHOR BARU: Immigration enforcement officers detained 14 undocumented migrants on board south-bound express busses at the Skudai toll plaza yesterday.
The 6pm joint operation against illegal migrants in Johor also involved the state police, Road Transport Department, Iskandar Puteri City Council and highway operator PLUS Expressways.
Johor Immigration Department director Baharuddin Tahir said 73 foreigners were screened, and 14 aged between 23 and 50 were detained.
Among them were six Indonesians, including four women, five Indian national men, two Bangladeshi men and a Pakistani man.
The detainees, currently held at the immigration depot in Setia Tropika, had violated Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) for failing to produce valid travel documents, permits, visa and overstaying.
Meanwhile, a local man has been issued an attendance notice to facilitate investigations.
In Pengerang, Kota Tinggi, 15 illegal migrants, including a woman, were detained yesterday.
Baharuddin said the operation, codenamed 'Op Bersama' and held from 10am to 1pm, saw the involvement of several federal and state government agencies.
Following public tip-offs, enforcement officers raided 15 premises and rounded up 38 foreigners for inspection.
Eight Bangladeshis, five Indonesians, a Pakistani and an Indian national failed to produce valid documents, while three attendance notices were issued to their suspected employers.
During the operation, the Pengerang Municipal Council also confiscated trading tools at 10 stalls for various violations under its Small Business Licensing Regulations 2021.
Five compound notices were issued to traders who failed to display their business registration certificate and signage bearing their name and business registration number.
Baharuddin said the Immigration Department, together with other relevant authorities, would intensify enforcement efforts to curb illegal immigration in the state.
He also urged foreign workers without valid travel documents to participate in the Migrant Repatriation Programme, implemented by the government to facilitate their return.
