KUALA LUMPUR – More raids to apprehend undocumented migrants are planned, with police identifying at least 10 locations in various states to focus on, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay today.
Operations similar to the recent surprise raid and seizures in the city centre around Jalan Silang last week will be expanded nationwide and will focus on migrants’ living quarters, he told a press conference.
“More than 10 locations in several states will be involved.
“During our previous operation at Jalan Silang, we focused on businesses that were operated by foreigners; that was our target then.
“In the future, we hope to go after the living quarters (of migrants with invalid documentation). Our operations will be done continuously and consistently,” Ayob said at the Police Training Centre here today.
“Our targeted locations are not just in the Klang Valley. There are some places in other states as well, including Johor, Kedah and Kelantan,” he added.
Last week’s raid around Jalan Silang saw the arrest of 1,101 foreigners, of whom 600 had legal action taken against them for a lack of required documentation.
In the December 21 operation, contraband worth RM104,530 was also seized from raided premises in the city centre. Items included cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and foreign medicines that were not approved by the Health Ministry.
A total of 1,138 personnel from agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police, the Internal Security and Public Order Department, the Immigration Department, the Customs Department and the Civil Defence Force were involved in the operation.
Ayob Khan said today that police will not notify the media ahead of time when conducting such operations and will only announce their actions towards the end of the exercise.
“In the past, when information about these kinds of raids was leaked, the targeted place was cleared out before we even arrived,” he said. – December 29, 2023