JOHOR BARU: Security and enforcement measures at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) have been ramped up to curb illegal activities and tighten border control.
State Immigration Department director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said enhanced operations were conducted by the Enforcement and Security units at both facilities in a two-day operation.
On Wednesday some 169 foreigners from 17 countries and 19 locals were detained for various immigration offences at BSI.
On Thursday at KSAB, 80 foreigners from countries such as Singapore, China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, and Italy were detained, while 88 others were issued fines.
BSI, located at the Johor Causeway, here, and KSAB at Gelang Patah in Iskandar Puteri, houses the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complexes.
Rusdi said the BSI operations saw 43 Indonesians, 33 Myanmar nationals, 22 Bangladeshis, 18 Pakistanis, 14 Singaporeans, and others from China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Egypt, Korea, Iran, Syria, Nigeria, and Algeria detained.
The detained individuals were suspected of committing various immigration offences, including attempting to enter the country without valid passes or permits under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, overstaying using or possessing fake Temporary Work visit passes, and also for obstructing the immigration officers from carrying out their duties.
The Malaysians were detained for harbouring illegal immigrants.
He added continuous enforcement operations will be conducted to safeguard national security by tightening control at entry points and cracking down on illegal immigrants.