JOHOR BARU: A Singaporean man and a Palestinian were among 23 foreigners who were rounded up in a series of Immigration Department raids in Taman Abad, here, for alleged work-related offences.
The Singaporean was working as a waiter in restaurant, while the Palestinian was running an alleged unlicensed shawarma restaurant.
All 23 were detained when Immigration officers inpected eight business premises in a series of raid that kick started at 8.10pm.
Besides the two, the officers also detained seven Pakistani men, six Indonesians, including three women, three Indian men, four Bangladeshi men, a Myanmar man, all aged between 20 and 53.
Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the foreigners were picked up for various Immigration offences.
He said the raids were conducted on various premises such as eateries, hair saloons, spas, e-cigarette stores and grocery shops.
Rusdi said the raids were launched following public complaints on the mushrooming number of foreigners suspected to be working without valid permits.
"Action will be taken against them under multiple provisions of the Immigration Act, including for entering and remaining in the country without valid documentation," he said in statement.
He added that three notices to appear were issued to local business proprietors who were suspected of harbouring the foreigners.