MIRI – A local employer’s illegal scheme to forge Temporary Work Visit Passes (e-PLKS) was exposed by the Sarawak Malaysian Immigration Department (JIMS) during a successful enforcement raid in Miri. The operation led to the arrest of 19 illegal immigrants and uncovered a network of falsified immigration documents.
The raid, carried out yesterday at 2.35 pm by a 30-member JIMS enforcement team, targeted a factory that produces road signs. According to JIMS Miri Director Abdul Halim Abang Naili, 24 Indonesian men were found working during the raid, out of which 19 were confirmed as illegal immigrants (PATI) and detained at the Bekenu Immigration Depot for further investigation.
“An inspection of the company office revealed various suspicious items, including forged e-PLKS documents, multiple passport copies showing identical identities with different photos, and a digital folder named ‘dummy’ filled with suspected fake documents,” said Abdul Halim.
Initial investigations revealed that while 13 of the workers had valid e-PLKS passes, the employer had manipulated their information to produce fake documents for 34 others not legally employed.
Some of the undocumented workers were absent during the raid, prompting authorities to continue tracking their whereabouts.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a local woman who, along with the employer, admitted to falsifying documents to hide the true legal status of the foreign workers. Items seized included a computer, USB drives, foreign worker passports, salary records, punch cards, and folders suspected to contain fake documents.
The case is now being investigated under Section 56(1)(i) and 56(1)(l) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002).
The Immigration Department has reiterated its commitment to clamp down on document forgery and the illegal employment of foreign workers. The public is encouraged to report such activities to preserve national security and order.
