Immigration Busts Pass Misuse Syndicate in Johor Raids
JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Immigration Department has uncovered a case involving the misuse of immigration passes and the abuse of an online application system after conducting two enforcement operations in Johor earlier this week.
The operations, carried out on March 2 and March 3, led to the arrest of several foreign nationals and a local man believed to be involved in a syndicate manipulating immigration facilities for illegal employment purposes.
In the first operation on March 2, enforcement officers from the Immigration Department conducted a raid around Taman Setia Tropika in Johor Bahru. During the operation, authorities detained 11 foreign nationals consisting of eight Thai women, two Vietnamese women and one Vietnamese man.
Initial investigations revealed that several of those detained were suspected of misusing their immigration passes. Some were found working as waiters at entertainment premises despite holding Social Visit Passes and Temporary Work Visit Passes under the Foreign Domestic Helper category.
According to officials, the premises allegedly offered waiter services specifically to foreign customers, with service packages reportedly starting from as low as RM250. Authorities believe the operation had been running for about a year before it was uncovered.
During the raid, officers seized several items believed to be connected to the activities. These included foreign passports, digital recording equipment, mobile phones and cash amounting to RM3,025 believed to be proceeds from the operation.
In a separate operation conducted the following day on March 3, Immigration enforcement teams targeted locations in Batu Pahat, Skudai and Johor Bahru. The operation led to the dismantling of a syndicate suspected of abusing the Maid Online System application facility.
A total of five foreign women were detained in the operation. They consisted of four Vietnamese nationals and one Indonesian citizen. Officers also arrested a local man believed to be the main mastermind behind the syndicate.
Investigations found that the group allegedly submitted information and documents suspected to be false in order to obtain Temporary Work Visit Pass facilities under the Foreign Domestic Helper category. Authorities believe the individuals involved did not meet the eligibility requirements for the permits.
The syndicate is believed to have charged around RM6,000 for each application processed through the fraudulent scheme.
All individuals detained during the operations were taken to the Setia Tropika Immigration Office in Johor for further investigation and processing. Several local individuals were also issued notices requiring them to appear before authorities to assist with the investigation.
The case is currently being investigated under provisions of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963, including Section 6(3), Section 15(1)(c) and Section 56(1)(k).
Immigration authorities said the success of these operations highlights the department’s continued efforts to strengthen enforcement both on the ground and through digital monitoring systems. Officials stressed that any attempt to manipulate the country’s immigration processes will be dealt with firmly.
The department reiterated that it will not compromise with any party involved in abusing immigration facilities, stressing that strict legal action will be taken to safeguard the integrity of the national immigration system and protect national security.
Members of the public are encouraged to cooperate with enforcement agencies by reporting any suspected activities that may violate immigration laws.
