KAJANG, Aug 12 (Bernama) 2026 — The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) detained 1,043 foreign nationals in a nationwide integrated operation conducted from Monday to yesterday.
Its director-general, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, said that in the large-scale operation, 3,307 individuals were inspected following public complaints and information about the presence of foreign nationals at certain locations.
“Of the total number detained, the highest number involved Bangladeshi nationals, followed by Indonesian and Myanmar nationals, with the majority of them being men,” he told reporters after an operation at an apartment here late last night.
He said during the operation at the apartment, 330 individuals were inspected, and of that figure, 248 foreign nationals, aged between 17 and 59 years. were detained for further investigation.
“Myanmar nationals recorded the highest number of arrests at this location, totalling 117 people. The operation began around 10.30 pm and involved inspections in two residential blocks,” he said.
Zakaria said the operation also involved the detention of children, most of whom were with their parents, to ensure they were not left without guardians.
He said that as a result of the operation, JIM also issued 45 witness summonses to Malaysian citizens to assist in the investigation against homeowners suspected of harbouring illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, Zakaria reminded foreign nationals without valid documents or permits to take the opportunity to surrender through the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0, which is still being implemented until May 31, 2027.
“They can voluntarily surrender to JIM, pay a fine of RM500, before being allowed to return to their home country. Take this opportunity before we detain and take legal action,” he said.
Commenting on the detention of the holder of a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card, he said his side would conduct a review to ensure the authenticity of the document.
Zakaria said that JIM also does not deny that there are illegal immigrants who have been blacklisted and who are trying to re-enter the country via illegal routes or ‘rat trails’.
He said that JIM is now conducting an average of more than five enforcement operations daily nationwide, in addition to continuously carrying out repatriation processes to ensure that detention depot capacity is sufficient.
“The repatriation process is carried out daily to make room for new arrests. We also collaborating with foreign embassies and Wisma Putra for the documentation of foreign nationals who have no documents at all,” he also said.
Zakaria added that JIM has repatriated more than 31,000 foreign nationals as of July this year, while about 28,000 individuals who were arrested have been placed in detention depots.
— BERNAMA
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