JIM carried out 12,343 enforcement operations on illegal business activities from 2024 to Sept 30, arresting 25,124 foreigners, says the Home Affairs Ministry.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) conducted 12,343 enforcement operations related to illegal business activities and the unlawful operation of premises from 2024 to Sept 30, resulting in the arrest of 25,124 foreigners.
According to the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN), the operations included Ops Belanja, which targets business and retail premises; Ops Jaja, which focuses on hawking activities; and Ops Selera, which targets restaurants, eateries and food preparation premises.
“JIM conducts continuous and targeted enforcement operations based on intelligence, public complaints and monitoring at identified locations,” the ministry said in a written reply published on the Parliament website.
KDN was responding to a question from Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras), who sought the number of operations, arrests and prosecutions, as well as action taken against premises found to be operating illegally under foreign management between 2024 and 2026.
He also asked about investigations into allegations that syndicates or other parties were protecting such activities.
The ministry said employers involved in the activities had also been detained, with 471 arrested under Ops Belanja, 40 under Ops Jaja and 1,341 under Ops Selera.
On allegations that syndicates or other parties were protecting such activities, KDN said all information and complaints received would be examined and followed up with further intelligence gathering and investigations.
“If there is evidence that any individual, employer or other party is involved in employing, protecting or assisting foreigners who commit immigration offences, action will be taken in accordance with the laws in force,” the ministry said.
The commonly detected offences included being in Malaysia without a valid pass or permit under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, overstaying under Section 15(1)(c) of the same Act, and breaching pass or permit conditions under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.