KUALA LUMPUR – Police have observed a rising number of foreigners involved in crime in the last three years, leading to plans to step up more raids nationwide.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain was reported saying there had been a 20.9% increase in foreigners involved in crime from January to November this year, compared to 2022.
Citing figures from the national crime index, he told the New Straits Times that the number of migrants arrested for crimes this year was almost 11%, and this was significantly higher than last year and 2021.
The figures for foreigners arrested were 2,020 in 2021; 1,957 in 2022; and 2,366 from January to November this year.
Razarudin attributed the increase to borders reopening after the Covid-19 lockdowns, and said most of those arrested were migrants from Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, the Philippines and India.
The main offence leading to arrest was theft. There were also a high number of cases involving causing hurt or assault.
Razarudin said there were elements of syndicates at work.
His interview with NST was to explain last week’s multi-agency operation to raid business premises and buildings on Jalan Silang in the capital’s centre, in which 1,101 foreigners were arrested.
Of those arrested, 600 had legal action taken against them for a lack of required documentation.
Yesterday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said more raids were in store nationwide, as police had identified at least 10 locations where migrants live and gather.
Ayob Khan also said future operations would focus on migrant living quarters, while the Jalan Silang raid had focused on businesses run by foreigners.
The Jalan Silang raid on December 21 saw contraband worth RM104,530 seized from raided premises. Items included cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and foreign medicines that were not approved by the Health Ministry. – December 30, 2023