252 Illegal Bangladeshi Migrants Detained in Malaysia

425 illegal foreign people were apprehended by Malaysian officials yesterday, including 252 Bangladeshis from Kuala Lumpur. 

According to Syamsul Bahrin Mohshin, director of the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department, they were caught during a raid after two weeks of surveillance and investigations. 

"In the operation carried out by 60 staff between 1am and 4am this morning, a total of 425 undocumented migrants were arrested for not possessing valid identification documents, overstaying or possessing expired temporary work permits, in addition to unrecognised card holders. Those arrested consist of 252 Bangladeshis, 108 Myanmar, two Filipinos, 30 Indonesians, six Cambodians, 20 Nepalese and seven Pakistanis, all of whom are between eight and 54 years old," he said at a press conference after the operation.

He claimed that locals had voiced complaints about the large number of foreigners in the region and how they were contributing to a number of societal issues.

The official stated that individuals arrested worked in a number of different fields, including cleaning and construction.

In order to escape being arrested, several of those who were held also acted violently throughout the operation, hurling different objects, including bottles, although no injuries were recorded.

The UNHCR cards of Rohingya refugees and those with legitimate work permits were also seized by the officers.

"For the Myanmar citizens, they had cards based on their association or ethnicity but they are not valid for use and not recognised. Immigration will detain those who only have these cards for identification," Syamsul Bahrin Mohshin said.

He said that the situation is being looked into and that all people arrested were transported to the Bukit Jalil immigration detention center for further action.