KLANG: More than 20 Bangladeshi passports were found at a business premises in Meru here today, prompting an investigation into why the travel documents were being kept there.
The discovery was made during a joint enforcement operation by the Selangor Immigration Department and Klang Royal City Council (MBDK), which began at 11am following intelligence gathering and information received by both agencies.
The operation initially focused on inspecting employers and foreign workers at a row of business premises in the area.
However, enforcement officers discovered a suspicious room at the rear of one of the premises, prompting a more thorough inspection.
Checks uncovered dozens of foreign passports, including several kept in a locked safe.
Selangor acting Immigration director Mohmad Khusairi Kamarudin said more than 20 Bangladeshi passports containing valid particulars were found during the inspection.
"The discovery is suspicious, and the Selangor Immigration Department will conduct further investigations to determine why the passports were being kept at the premises.
"We will also summon the employer, believed to be a Bangladeshi national," he told reporters after the operation.
Meanwhile, a local man in his early 20s who was found looking after the premises claimed he had been paid RM50 by a friend, believed to be a foreigner, to mind the shop for the day.
The premises reportedly sold mobile phones and room furnishings, as well as offering bicycle repair services.
"I was only asked to look after the shop today. He paid me RM50 to stay here until 8pm.
"I don't know who is responsible for the room at the back. Today is my first day working here. I'm serious, I really don't know anything about it," he said.
The Immigration Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery and seeking to establish who was responsible for keeping the passports at the premises.
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