KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration department is investigating the status of the land of a settlement in Seremban where authorities found undocumented migrants.
The settlement, a 0.3ha plot of land near a forest in Taman Bandar Senawang was raided early Wednesday. A total of 69 people were screened and 11 were arrested for offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Those screened were from Indonesia and Bangladesh.
"The initial purpose (of the site) was as a temporary residence for housing development workers in the area," said Negri Sembilan Immigration Department director Kennith Tan Ai Kiang.
"Some individuals remained, leading to its gradual expansion over time."
Recently, the settlement has grown significantly without being dismantled, prompting immigration authorities to intervene upon receiving reports, he added.
Tan said the department is investigating the status of the land involved. He did not rule out potential legal action against landowners pending the investigation's outcome.
"If wrongdoing is confirmed, we will proceed to consult our legal advisors for appropriate measures under the Immigration Act 1959/63," he stated.
While acknowledging the settlement's longstanding presence, Tan said the transient nature of the immigrants may have led to the settlement being abandoned, then reused over the years.
The settlement had existed since 2009.
"There may have been periods of abandonment followed by reoccupation, possibly involving a mix of legal and illegal workers," he added.