MIRI: Malaysian immigration authorities have detained six foreign nationals during a late-night raid on a reflexology centre here, in what officials describe as part of a sustained crackdown on illegal employment and document fraud.
The operations, known as ‘Ops Gegar’, were carried out on April 24 following intelligence gathered on the premises, according to the Immigration Department.
A team of 16 enforcement officers, including members of its Special Action Team and personnel from the Sarikei division, conducted the raid between 10.05 pm and 10.35 pm.
In a statement, the department said initial findings pointed to the employer allegedly hiring and sheltering foreign workers without valid permits.
Six individuals were detained for suspected immigration offences.
Four of them – two women from China, one Filipino national and one Indonesian – are believed to have been using falsified work permits and social visit passes.
Two others, an Indonesian husband and wife, were arrested for overstaying, with officials indicating they had remained in the country beyond their permitted period since 2022.
All six have been taken to the Miri Immigration Office for further investigation.
Authorities said inquiries are ongoing, including into the role of the employer, who could face action under Malaysia’s immigration laws if found in breach.
The Immigration Department said enforcement operations would continue “from time to time” across Sarawak, targeting sectors where undocumented labour and document misuse are suspected to be prevalent.
