KUCHING – The Kuching Immigration Department detained 43 people for further investigation during two enforcement operations conducted at seven locations across the city on 21 September 2026.
The operations, known as Ops Selera and Ops Kutip, were carried out from 10am until midnight at locations around Westfield Points, Jalan Tun Hussein Onn, Pekan Batu 10 and Kota Sentosa.
The enforcement activities followed complaints from members of the public and intelligence gathered by the Kuching Immigration Department. Officers inspected eateries and business premises suspected of being linked to online gambling activities.
During the operations, enforcement personnel encountered several attempts by individuals to evade inspection. Among them were a foreign man and woman who reportedly tried to hide in a drain to avoid being apprehended.
Their attempt was unsuccessful after enforcement officers located them and took them into custody for further action.
A total of 48 individuals were inspected during the combined operations, with 43 subsequently detained. One witness summons was also issued as part of the enforcement action.
The detained individuals are suspected of committing offences under Section 15(1)(c) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155).
Those taken into custody have been referred for further investigation and action under the relevant provisions of immigration law.
The operations covered several commercial locations, with officers carrying out inspections based on information and intelligence developed by the department.
The presence of suspected online gambling-related activities was among the reasons for inspections at the premises targeted during the operations, although the immigration enforcement action focused on suspected offences under the Immigration Act.
The attempts by some individuals to leave or conceal themselves during the inspections were dealt with by enforcement personnel at the respective locations.
The department said the enforcement operations demonstrated the importance of intelligence and information received from the public in identifying locations requiring inspection.
JIM Sarawak said it would continue to strengthen intelligence-led enforcement activities as part of efforts to ensure compliance with immigration laws.
The department’s ongoing enforcement work covers inspections and investigations involving individuals suspected of violating immigration requirements.
The latest operations also underline the role of public complaints and intelligence gathering in directing enforcement activities towards locations where potential immigration offences may occur.
All 43 detainees remain subject to further investigation, and their detention does not by itself establish that they have committed the offences under investigation.
JIM Sarawak said enforcement efforts would continue as part of its responsibility to uphold compliance with Malaysia’s immigration laws across the state.
