MIRI: Malaysia’s Immigration authorities have detained 26 Indonesian nationals in pre-dawn enforcement operations at an entertainment premises in the Niah area, near Miri, as part of a targeted crackdown on undocumented foreign workers.
The operations at about 1:00 am was carried out by the Sarawak enforcement unit of the Immigration Department of Malaysia through its Special Tactical Team, following weeks of intelligence-led surveillance on premises suspected of harbouring and employing migrants without valid documentation.
A total of 31 individuals were inspected during the raid, including five Malaysian nationals and 26 Indonesians.
Immigration officers said only four of the foreign nationals were able to produce valid travel documents, while the remainder failed to present any legal papers.
All 26 were detained for suspected offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963, including misuse of temporary visit passes, overstaying, and unlawful entry or residence.
Officials said preliminary findings also indicate that the premises may have been used to employ foreign workers without valid work permits, and to accommodate undocumented migrants in breach of immigration rules.
The detainees have been transferred to the Bekenu Immigration Depot for further investigation and processing.
Authorities say enforcement operations will continue across identified hotspots in Sarawak as part of ongoing efforts to tighten compliance and curb the presence of undocumented foreign workers in high-risk sectors, including entertainment and hospitality.
Investigations into the premises operator are continuing.
No further details have been released at this stage.
