KUANTAN: The Pahang Immigration Department arrested 32 foreign nationals, believed to be working without valid permits, in an operation dubbed 'Op Sapu' in the state capital yesterday.
The department said that the raids were conducted between 1am and 5am at various business premises and involved 18 enforcement officers.
"A total of 44 foreigners from Indonesia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh were screened for documentation before 32 illegal immigrants, aged between 22 and 51, were detained.
"Those detained comprised 16 Myanmar nationals, 14 Indonesians, and two Bangladeshis who did not have valid documents. The department is in the midst of tracking down the premises' owners.
"The operation was conducted following a public complaint received about the presence of foreigners at the premises, who are believed to have been hired illegally," the department said in a Facebook post.
It added that the 32 foreigners had been remanded for 14 days under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 at the Kemayan depot in Bera for further investigation.
The Immigration Department urged the public to provide information if they notice a large presence of foreigners in their respective areas to help the authorities curb the influx of illegal immigrants.