Staff Reporter :
Malaysian immigration authorities have arrested a total of 171 illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshis, in separate operations in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru this week.
In the early hours of Thursday, officers raided a 19-story building in the Setapak area of Kuala Lumpur’s Danau Kota, detaining 125 individuals.
Kuala Lumpur Immigration Director Wan Mohammad Soupi Wan Yusuf said the detainees included 81 men and 44 women, aged between 16 and 70.
Among them were 69 Myanmar nationals, 25 Indians, 14 Pakistanis, 12 Indonesians, and 5 Bangladeshis.
The raid followed local complaints and two weeks of surveillance across 64 units, during which immigration officials verified the documents of nearly 400 residents.
Those detained faced charges of lacking valid documentation, overstaying visas, and violating Malaysia’s immigration laws. Many tried to escape during the raid but were eventually caught.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, Johor Immigration launched an ‘Ops Sapu’ operation in Ulu Tiram, arresting an additional 46 individuals.
This group included 13 Indonesian men, 10 women, 12 Myanmar men, 4 women, 4 Bangladeshi men, 1 Nepali, and 2 Indonesian children aged 2 to 6 years.
Johor Immigration Director Datuk Mohammad Rusdi Mohammad Darus confirmed that the detainees were sent to immigration detention centers and that investigations are ongoing under Malaysian immigration law.
Authorities have also warned that strict action will be taken against employers or hosts who employ or shelter illegal immigrants.
Malaysia has long been a key destination for migrant workers from South and Southeast Asia, including Bangla-desh, Myanmar, Indonesia, India, and Nepal.
While many enter legally for work, overstays and undocumented arrivals remain a major challenge.
The government regularly conducts raids to enforce immigration laws, often prompted by complaints from local residents or businesses.
These operations aim to curb illegal employment, human trafficking, and related security concerns.
