KUALA TERENGGANU – A coordinated enforcement operation by the Terengganu State Immigration Department has resulted in the arrest of seventeen individuals suspected of violating immigration laws.
The initiative, which spanned across Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus, targeted various business premises and construction sites to identify undocumented foreign workers.
The operation, comprising three distinct phases known as Ops Sapu, Ops Shopping, and Ops Selera, was conducted on 14 July 2026.
Running from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, the enforcement team from the department’s Enforcement Division focused on areas with high concentrations of commercial and industrial activity.
The primary objective was to ensure strict compliance with the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
During the course of the day, officers inspected a total of five different locations. These included a processing factory for traditional keropok lekor crackers in Sungai Rengas, a retail cracker shop in Pulau Musang, a grocery store in Kampung Tok Jiring, an office construction site in Gong Badak, and a food establishment along Jalan Bandar.
At these sites, fifty-seven individuals underwent thorough document checks to verify their legal status in the country.
The inspections revealed that seventeen of those checked were present in Malaysia without valid documentation.
The group consisted of sixteen men and one woman, with ages ranging from twenty to forty-five years. Nationalities among the detainees included eight men from Bangladesh, four from Indonesia, four from Myanmar, and one woman from Thailand.
They are suspected of offences such as entering the country without a valid pass, overstaying their permitted duration, or violating specific conditions attached to their existing permits.
The largest number of arrests occurred at the office construction site in Gong Badak, where twelve individuals were detained. This highlights the construction sector as a significant area of concern for immigration enforcement.
Another four individuals were arrested at the food premises in Jalan Bandar, while one person was taken into custody at the cracker shop in Pulau Musang.
No arrests were reported at the Sungai Rengas factory or the Kampung Tok Jiring grocery store during this specific sweep.
In addition to the arrests, authorities issued three witness summonses. These notices require individuals to assist police and immigration officers with further investigations, ensuring that all aspects of the potential offences are thoroughly examined.
This procedural step is crucial for building comprehensive cases against those involved in facilitating illegal employment.
All seventeen detainees have been transferred to the Ajil Immigration Depot. There, they will undergo further processing and investigation in accordance with current immigration laws.
Depending on the outcome of these enquiries, they may face deportation, fines, or other legal penalties prescribed under Malaysian law.
The Terengganu State Immigration Department has stated that such operations will continue to be intensified.
Officials emphasised their commitment to monitoring employment and business premises regularly to combat the presence of illegal immigrants.
By targeting both employers who hire undocumented workers and the individuals themselves, the department aims to maintain the integrity of the state’s labour market and national security.
This crackdown serves as a warning to business owners in Terengganu to verify the legal status of their employees rigorously. Failure to do so can result in severe legal consequences, including heavy fines and imprisonment.
The government continues to urge the public to report any suspicious activities related to illegal immigration to help maintain social order and economic fairness.
The multi-pronged approach of Ops Sapu, Ops Shopping, and Ops Selera allows for a broader net to be cast across different sectors of the economy. From food production to retail and construction, no industry is exempt from scrutiny.
This comprehensive strategy ensures that enforcement efforts are not limited to traditional hotspots but cover the entire spectrum of potential illegal employment.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities will also look into any networks that may have facilitated the entry or stay of these individuals.
Disrupting such syndicates is a key priority for the Immigration Department. For now, the focus remains on processing the current detainees and ensuring that justice is served according to the law.
