Authorities uncover minors using others’ IDs and detain 117 workers in factory raid
A major enforcement operation in Johor has exposed the growing issue of underage labor, with authorities detaining 31 teenagers for using other people’s identity cards (MyKads) to secure part-time jobs at a factory in Johor Technology Park, Senai.
Underage Workers Found Using Others’ MyKads
The National Registration Department (JPN/NRD) revealed that 16 boys and 15 girls, all below 18 years old, were found using identity cards belonging to relatives or other individuals to gain employment. The youngest detainee was just 14 years old. Some of the teens had dropped out of school as early as age 12, while others claimed they were only working during school holidays.
Part of a Larger Multi-Agency Operation
These minors were among 117 people detained during a joint operation between JPN and the Johor Immigration Department. Known as Ops Kotak, the raid targeted a box-manufacturing factory suspected of employing individuals using fraudulent documents.
Large Team Mobilised Across Multiple States
The operation involved 56 JPN enforcement officers from Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, alongside 30 immigration officers. Their coordinated presence highlights the seriousness of identity fraud and illegal employment activities in the state.
Foreign Workers Also Using Fake Identity Documents
Authorities also detained 86 foreign nationals, consisting of 67 women and 19 men from Indonesia, the Philippines, and several other countries. All were found using fake or illegally obtained identity documents, allegedly sourced from agents in their home countries. These cases remain under active investigation.
Legal Action Under National Registration Regulations
The detained minors and foreign nationals were taken to the NRD office at the Home Affairs Complex for further processing. The investigation will proceed under Regulation 25(1)(e) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007), which deals with the misuse of identification documents.
The crackdown sheds light on a concerning trend of document fraud and underage labor in Johor’s manufacturing sector. For Indonesians and Singaporeans who follow cross-border labor issues closely, the incident underscores broader regional concerns about worker welfare, enforcement gaps, and the exploitation of minors. Continued vigilance and stronger safeguards will be essential to prevent similar cases in the future.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today (2025) , Bernama (2025)
Keywords: Underage Labor Johor, Fake MyKad Case, Johor Factory Raid, Khairu Farhan Saad, Ops Kotak
