Malaysia’s Johor Immigration Department has arrested 214 undocumented migrants, including 123 Bangladeshis, during raids on worker settlements at a plastic factory near Kampung Belokok and Jalan Lingkaran Dalam in Johor Bahru.
The operation, conducted on 14 November, saw several workers attempting to flee or hide in storage areas. Enforcement teams from the Johor Immigration Department and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency secured all exits before rounding them up.
The detainees, men and women aged between 20 and 48, came from Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, India and Pakistan, authorities said. All were found working without valid permits and have been sent to Setia Tropika Immigration Depot for further investigation, according to the Straits Times.
According to a report published by Malaysia’s state news agency Bernama, Johor State Immigration Director, Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the factory had been under surveillance after intelligence indicated it employed a large number of undocumented workers. A local employee serving as the factory’s HR officer was also arrested for allegedly facilitating illegal hiring.
Rusdi warned that employers who harbour undocumented migrants will remain a key focus. “Intensified operations will continue to prevent the abuse of foreign labour,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the 1959/63 Immigration Act for illegal entry and overstaying. The raids were carried out in collaboration with the National Registration Department, Civil Defence Force, National Anti-Drugs Agency, and Rela.
