Selangor Immigration nabs 21 illegal immigrants in Shah Alam

SHAH ALAM, March 17  -- The Selangor Immigration Department detained 21 illegal immigrants in an operation carried out yesterday at two business premises turned into a clothing factory in the Shah Alam area.

Selangor Immigration director Mohamad Shukri Nawi said the four-hour operation which began at 2 pm found that the detainees, namely 19 Bangladeshi men and two Indonesian women aged between 20 and 45, were believed to have committed various offences under the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations.

"All those detained were taken to the enforcement division at the Selangor Immigration Office for further investigation and will be remanded for 14 days under section 51 (5) (b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 at the Semenyih Immigration Depot," he said in a statement today.

Mohamad Shukri said during the raid, all the illegal immigrants were busy sewing clothes at the factory, while some unsuccessfully tried to provide excuses to escape detention.

He said initial investigations found that each worker received wages of between RM45 to RM50 a day, while the premises itself did not have any business signage.

“The operations team also had to force open the metal grille of the premises, as the people inside did not cooperate in allowing the inspection to take place.

"The Immigration Department will conduct further investigations to track down the employer or guardians of these illegal immigrants, and if found guilty, will also be subject to legal action, including prosecution in court," he said.

-- BERNAMA