SUNGAI PETANI: A strategy employed by a business establishment, which involved the installation of closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) to hide its foreign tailors, was exposed following a raid yesterday.
The raid was conducted by the Intelligence and Enforcement Division of the Kedah Immigration Department.
Its director Mohd Ridzzuan Mohd Zain said 16 Pakistan nationals aged between 21 and 49, who were busy sewing in the three-storey premises, were detained.
"Outside the premises, there seems to be little business activity, and it is rarely visited. However, investigations uncovered that all the workers never left the premises. They cook and sleep within the establishment.
"Their employer comes every morning to monitor the tasks given more closely," he said in a statement today.
Ridzzuan said the foreign nationals declined to cooperate by opening the door of the premises during the raid, necessitating his team to force entry.
"According to initial information, the premises in the area are owned by locals, but are leased to foreigners," he said.
Ridzzuan said the business received orders from textile entrepreneurs and regular customers.
He said investigations were also conducted on the premises' owner who hired and allowed illegal immigrants to be there.
"The case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(c) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
"All detainees are placed at the Immigration Detention Depot in Belantik, Sik, after the documentation process is completed," he said.