Officials Climb 400-Meter Mountain Path, Bust Hidden Villages, Arrest 214 Illegal Immigrants

(Selangor, 4th) The Immigration Department, along with other enforcement units, busted three "villages" of illegal immigrants hidden within an oil palm plantation in Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, discovering 214 illegal immigrants.

Officials from the Immigration Department, Royal Malaysia Police, and multiple enforcement units launched a "large-scale joint operation" (Ops Bersepadu Mega) in the early hours of Saturday (April 4), successfully uncovering these locations where illegal immigrants were hiding.

Enforcement officers had to climb about 400 meters up a mountain path to reach the hideouts, navigating rough terrain and being on the lookout for wild animal attacks.

Reports indicate that, although the hiding places were secluded, they were well-equipped with prayer rooms, grocery stores, government subsidized gas and diesel, and even water and electricity supply.

Several chicken coops were also found on site, believed to be used for cockfighting activities. Authorities also discovered "rat trails" in the area, which are believed to be escape routes set up for use in the event of raids by enforcement units.

Selangor Immigration Director Khairul pointed out that these three hiding spots are believed to have existed for 5 to 9 years, and during this operation, authorities checked 356 foreign nationals and arrested 214 illegal immigrants.

"214 individuals believed to be illegal immigrants were arrested, including 120 men and 65 women, 16 boys, and 13 girls. The ages of the arrested range from as young as 1 month to as old as 80 years."

"Preliminary investigations show that those arrested come from Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka."

He said these foreign nationals are believed to work as laborers and cleaners in the vicinity, and authorities do not rule out that "guardians" are in charge of collecting rent in these illegal settlements.

This operation was jointly conducted by the Immigration Departments of Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, and Penang, as well as Shah Alam City Council, the Malaysian General Operations Force (PGA), the National Registration Department, and the Civil Defense Force.