At least 150 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshi nationals, were detained in two separate immigration raids carried out in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The operations, conducted in the early hours of Wednesday (14 January) based on intelligence reports, exposed widespread illegal residence and employment in the Chow Kit and Jalan Klang Lama areas of the city.
According to the Immigration Department, 79 undocumented migrants were arrested during a raid on an old apartment building in the Chow Kit area, 23 of whom were women. Deputy Director-General (Operations) of the Immigration Department, Datuk Lokman Efendi Ramli, said the operation began at 12:30 a.m. and was the result of prolonged intelligence surveillance. The area had previously been identified as a high-risk hub for undocumented migrants.
The detainees were aged between 17 and 55. They are accused of lacking valid passports and work permits, as well as overstaying their permitted duration of stay. Among those arrested in Chow Kit were 39 Indonesian nationals, 25 Bangladeshis, 10 Nepalese, two Indians, two Pakistanis, and one Myanmar national.
On the same day, immigration authorities carried out another separate operation in the Jalan Klang Lama area of Kuala Lumpur. With both raids combined, the total number of undocumented migrants detained rose to at least 150. Authorities said enforcement operations against foreign nationals living and working illegally in these areas would be further intensified.
The Immigration Department stated that following necessary screening and verification, legal action will be taken against the detainees under the Immigration Act. Investigations will also continue against individuals and organisations found to be providing shelter or employment to undocumented migrants.