SERI KEMBANGAN: The Immigration Department yesterday busted a Rehiring Programme syndicate in a raid at a two-storey shop house in Sri Serdang, Seri Kembangan.
The raid, conducted by the Department’s Intelligence, Special Operations and Analysis division, checked on a company that offered Rehiring Programme services.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali, in a statement today said, several of the company’s subsidiaries were allowed to run rehiring programmes, but they had abused the approval as they appointed Bangladeshis as the managers.
“Checks at the Companies Commission of Malaysia also found foreigners who are using temporary work permits as board members or partners of some of the companies.
“Besides, document agreements between these companies and several other companies such as factories are dubious.
“These companies were also found applying for too many foreign workers through the rehiring programme with dubious documents,” he said.
Mustafar said two Bangladeshis, the director of the company and his son who acted as a “transporter” in handling foreign workers’ health examinations, were detained in the raid.
“Also detained were 11 Bangladeshi workers and two Malaysian women – a manager and assistant manager.
“Among items seized were supporting documents, 98 Bangladeshi and Indonesians passports, and approximately RM250,000 in cash.
“The money was believed to have been collected from foreign workers for health tests, levies, social pass payments, temporary work permit applications and service fees for rehiring programmes,” he said.
He added another Malaysian man who acted as a foreign worker agent, was also arrested.
The man was believed to have placed 68 foreign workers – 66 Bangladeshis and two Indonesians – at a transit house before the workers were sent to companies and factories that need the foreign labour, Mustafar informed.
"The 68 foreign workers were also detained in the raid.”
All detainees were placed at the Bukit Jalil detention centre to facilitate investigation.
Investigation will be conducted under various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
Mustafar also reminded members of the public and employers not to use short cuts in getting services such as rehiring programme as mostly it was fraud.
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