(Johor, 7th) The Johor Immigration Bureau conducted enforcement actions targeting eateries, arresting a total of 72 foreign men and women suspected of illegally working in restaurants without valid work permits.
Johor Immigration Director Dato’ Mohamad Rusdi stated that the operation was jointly carried out last Friday at 8pm by the Johor Immigration Bureau together with the Border Control and Protection Agency and the Customs Bureau.
He said the operation was based on intelligence and ongoing surveillance by the authorities, and was aimed at combating violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“The operations targeted multiple eatery premises and successfully uncovered several cases involving foreign workers violating the immigration laws.”
According to him, out of the 72 people arrested, the majority were Vietnamese nationals—40 in total (including 37 women); followed by 14 Indonesians, 17 Myanmars, and 1 Chinese woman, aged between 19 to 46 years old.
“Whether it is foreign workers or employers breaking the law, the authorities will not compromise once any violation is found.”
The suspects are currently housed at the Setia Tropika Immigration Detention Centre for further investigation.
During the operation, the enforcement authorities also issued five witness summonses to related business owners to assist with further investigations into shops suspected of hiring illegal foreign workers.