KUCHING, 7 April 2026 – A total of 31 foreigners were detained in a two-day enforcement operation carried out by the Malaysian Immigration Department Sarawak, targeting food premises in Kuching city and workers’ housing at a private oil palm plantation in Sebuyau.
The operation began on 6 April and concluded on 7 April 2026. It involved 23 immigration officers who conducted inspections at several restaurant premises around Kuching. The enforcement action was part of ongoing efforts by the department to ensure compliance with immigration laws and regulations.
According to the department, initial checks at food outlets in Kuching led to the detention of 21 foreign nationals. They were suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and related regulations, including not possessing valid travel documents and overstaying their permitted period.
The operation did not stop there. Later that night, enforcement officers continued their inspections at the residential quarters of private oil palm plantation workers in the Sebuyau area. The follow-up action resulted in the arrest of additional individuals, bringing the total number of detainees to 31.
All those detained were taken to the Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation and documentation checks. The department stated that thorough investigations will be conducted to determine the exact offences committed and whether employers had breached any legal obligations.
The Malaysian Immigration Department stressed that enforcement operations will continue from time to time without prior notice. The department reiterated its firm stance against immigration offences and warned employers not to hire or harbour undocumented foreign workers.
Authorities reminded business operators and plantation owners to ensure that all foreign employees possess valid permits and travel documents. Strict compliance with immigration regulations is not optional, and failure to do so may result in prosecution, fines, or other legal action under existing laws.
The department also called on the public to cooperate by providing information on suspected immigration violations. Such collaboration, it said, is crucial in safeguarding national security and maintaining orderly labour management in the state.
The latest operation reflects the government’s continued commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that all employers and workers adhere to Malaysia’s immigration framework. Enforcement efforts are expected to be intensified in key sectors where foreign labour is widely employed.
