Enforcement teams raided food outlets, car wash centres, and housing areas in Johor Bahru and Batu Pahat.
Johor Immigration authorities detained 32 foreign nationals in coordinated enforcement operations targeting immigration offences, following a week-long intelligence effort and public tip-offs across Johor Bahru and Batu Pahat.
Coordinated Raids Across Johor
On October 13, the Johor Immigration Department launched multiple enforcement operations—Ops Selera, Ops Minyak, and Ops Sapu—in collaboration with the Batu Pahat Branch Enforcement Unit. The raids targeted food premises, car wash centres, and residential areas identified as hotspots for illegal employment and immigration law violations.
Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operations stemmed from a week of intelligence gathering and information received through official complaint channels.
32 Arrested, 96 Checked
During the raids, officers inspected 96 foreign nationals and arrested 32 for offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963. The detainees included:
- 5 Bangladeshi men
- 5 Indian men
- 1 Pakistani man
- 4 Myanmar men and 1 Myanmar woman
- Indonesian men and 8 Indonesian women
All were aged between 19 and 52. Offences ranged from possession of invalid travel documents and misuse of temporary work visit passes to working without valid permits and overstaying.
Detainees Held for Investigation
All arrested individuals have been placed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot pending further investigation and legal action. Four copies of Form 29 witness summons were also issued to assist ongoing inquiries.
Datuk Mohd Rusdi said the operations reflect the department’s ongoing efforts to uphold Malaysia’s immigration laws and ensure compliance among foreign workers.
Public Cooperation Key to Success
In his statement, Mohd Rusdi expressed appreciation for the public’s assistance and vigilance, noting that community reports played a vital role in the success of the operations. He urged continued collaboration in tackling illegal immigration, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling activities in Johor.
“The Malaysian Immigration Department welcomes any information related to illegal immigrant protection, human trafficking, and smuggling activities so that these crimes can be eradicated comprehensively,” he said.
The arrests underline Johor’s firm stance on immigration enforcement and its reliance on community cooperation to curb illegal employment and trafficking activities. For Singaporean and Indonesian observers, the coordinated operation serves as a reminder of Malaysia’s tightening border controls and its growing emphasis on regional law enforcement cooperation.
Sources: The Sun (2025) , Bernama (2025)
Keywords: Johor Immigration, Foreign Nationals Arrested, Immigration Offences, Ops Selera, Batu Pahat
