JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor State Immigration Department (JIM) has detained four foreign nationals during the Ops Kutip and Ops Jaja operations conducted at a night market in Taman Nusa Perintis, Gelang Patah, the day before yesterday.
The operation, which took place from 6.20pm to 7.20pm, saw two Thai men, one Cambodian man, and one Pakistani arrested.
According to BulletinTV3, Johor Immigration director, Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus, said that the action was taken following public complaints regarding the activities and presence of foreign beggars and solicitors at the night market.
"These foreign beggars are believed to have been soliciting alms for over three months at the night market.
"The arrested beggar is believed to be missing a leg, and some have used the excuse of financing religious schools or institutions to gain sympathy," he said in a media statement today.
He said that, according to records, JIM Johor had previously conducted a raid at the night market location in January; however, there are still other individuals suspected of engaging in similar activities.
"Their arrest proves that they are abusing social visit passes and are capable of earning up to RM400 a day or RM12,000 a month," he said.
Those arrested, aged between 22 and 56, are believed to have reasonably committed an offence under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) for not possessing any valid pass or permit to remain in Malaysia.