Malaysia detains 57,000 undocumented immigrants and charges 1,720 employers

The Malaysian Immigration Department has detained over 57,000 undocumented immigrants and charged 1,720 employers following 9,700 operations conducted nationwide between January 1 and September 17.

Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli, Deputy Director General (Operations), stated that authorities have been conducting an average of three operations involving foreign nationals every two hours. Of the total detainees, more than 35,000 were caught during direct immigration operations, while over 22,000 were apprehended at national entry points or handed over by other enforcement agencies.

Enforcement actions are not limited to undocumented individuals; authorities are also targeting employers, premises owners, and residents who violate immigration laws. This includes those who employ undocumented workers without valid permits or rent property to illegal immigrants. On average, six employers or premises owners have been charged daily during this period.