62 Bangladeshis detained in Malaysia

Malaysia's Immigration Department detained 156 immigrants, including 62 Bangladeshis, during an integrated operation at an illegal settlement in Cyberjaya city Sunday night, reports UNB.

The detainees also include Indonesian, Myanmarese, Nepali, Pakistani and Indian nationals.

Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud, director-general of the Immigration Department, said: "In the 11pm operation, a total of 202 immigrants from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and India, including 12 women and two children were checked."

"However, 156 of them were detained for not having valid travel and identification documents before being taken to the Immigration Department's screening centre in Putrajaya for further action," he added.

The raid on the settlement that has access to water supply and electricity through illegal connections was carried out in collaboration with several enforcement agencies including the police, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force and the National Registration Department, Datuk Khairul said.

"This illegal settlement has the potential of spreading Covid-19 infections as it fails to comply with the stipulated standard operating procedures under the Movement Control Order," he added.

However, Khairul Dzaimee denied allegations that the Immigration Department only took action against illegal immigrants, but not their employers.

"The claims are untrue because, in 2019, a total of 1,052 employers were charged in court with various offences under the Immigration Act, involving a total fine of RM19.3 million," he said.

"Last year, 519 employers were brought to court, involving a total fine of more than RM10 million. As of last month, 130 employers were slapped with fines amounting to RM3.2 million."