SERDANG: A group of foreigners were nabbed by Immigration Department (JIM) officers at the Selangor Wholesale Market after unsuccessfully hiding in drains and fish boxes.
72 foreigners, including 39 United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders, were detained during the Op Patuh raid, which took place between 1 am and 4pm.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said said the foreigners aged between 20 and 50 years old were detained on suspicion of not having valid work permits.
He added initial investigations found that several UNHCR cards were fraudulent as well.
“As such, we will further investigate the validity of all UNCHR cards and whether they have the necessary documents and work permits based upon the sector they applied for.
“All of them have been sent to the Selangor Immigration Department for further action,” he said after participating in the monitoring of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the Movement Control Order (MCO) at the Selangor Wholesale Market.
He said Op Patuh will continue to combat non-compliance with existing SOPs in an integrated manner by focusing on the misuse of approval letters issued by the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies.
Meanwhile, Enforcement Director of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Azman Adam said a total of 42,552 premises nationwide were inspected from June 1 until June 25.
Compounds amounting to RM2.03mil were issued for SOP violations during that period too.
“We will ensure that compliance is at the highest level, especially among sectors that are regulated by KPDNHEP,” he said.
Sources: Harian Metro, Cover image via Harian Metro & Sinar Harian
Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Sarah Yeoh
