PETALING JAYA: Employment opportunities in Janda Baik’s tourism, agriculture and business sectors are attracting foreign workers to the popular Pahang holiday destination, raising concerns over possible illegal employment and accommodation arrangements, the Immigration Department said.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the department recognised that economic activities in the Bentong locality had contributed to the presence of foreigners, particularly around resorts, chalets and other accommodation premises.
“The Immigration Department is aware that the presence of foreigners in Janda Baik is also influenced by employment opportunities and local economic activities, particularly in the tourism sector involving resorts, chalets and accommodation premises, as well as agriculture and businesses.
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“This situation may also create opportunities for the illegal employment of foreigners and the provision of accommodation that could violate immigration laws,” he said in a statement.
Yesterday, Berita Harian reported growing concerns among Janda Baik residents over the increasing involvement of foreigners from Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh in local economic activities, including operating grocery shops and eateries, offering services and cultivating agricultural land rented from local landowners.
Residents claimed the trend was affecting local livelihoods, while also raising concerns over social and environmental issues in the popular tourist destination.
Zakaria said the department would strengthen intelligence-led enforcement, with attention extending beyond undocumented migrants to employers, property owners and operators who facilitated illegal employment or accommodation.
“Legal action may be taken against parties found committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, including Sections 55B and 55E, in accordance with the relevant provisions,” he said.
Section 55B covers the employment of foreigners without valid passes, while Section 55E concerns allowing undocumented migrants to enter or remain in premises under a person’s supervision, management or control.
Zakaria said the department took residents’ concerns seriously and would continue monitoring, intelligence gathering and enforcement based on complaints and information received.
He said an earlier operation by the Pahang Immigration Department on April 24 involved inspections at eight locations in Janda Baik, during which 82 individuals were checked and 38 foreigners were detained on suspicion of various immigration offences.
Details on the nationalities of those detained or the outcome of the investigations were not provided.
Zakaria said the Immigration Department would also strengthen coordination with local authorities and other enforcement agencies through information sharing and enforcement measures within their respective jurisdictions.
He encouraged residents and community associations to continue providing accurate information on suspected offences, saying this would allow officers to verify complaints and take appropriate action without exposing members of the public to unnecessary risks.