Staff Reporter :
In a large-scale joint operation by Malaysian enforcement agencies, 1,435 undocumented migrants, including 142 Bangladeshis, were detained in Kuala Lumpur’s Pusat Bandar Utara area, many of them holders of UNHCR refugee cards, primarily from the Rohingya community.
The operation launched at 9:45 PM on Thursday and continued until 6:30 AM Friday morning, focusing on the city’s largest wholesale market and surrounding business hubs. All entry and exit points were sealed off during the raid.
A total of 560 personnel from multiple security and enforcement agencies participated in the crackdown.
Deputy Director of Internal Security and Public Order (Bukit Aman), Mohammad Suzarine Mohammad Rodhi, told the media that the raid aimed to curb the influx of undocumented refugees, especially from Myanmar,
and identify criminal activities linked to violations of immigration laws.
The sweep led to the arrest of: 1,222 Rohingya migrants from Myanmar ,142 Bangladeshis ,9 Indians, 4 Indonesians, and 1 Nepali citizen.
Officials reported that 225 commercial establishments and rental residences were searched. Authorities discovered a significant number of offenses, including: Operation of unlicensed businesses, Illegal electricity and water connections ,use of forged UNHCR cards.
Migrants possessing valid travel documents or authentic UNHCR cards were released after verification. The remaining detainees were transferred to the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further legal procedures.
This operation highlights Malaysia’s intensified efforts to manage undocumented migration and enforce public order in commercial zones.
