Tebrau:The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) detained 492 foreign nationals during an enforcement operation at an automotive and electronic components factory located in the Tebrau industrial area. The operation was carried out yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus stated that the raid was a joint effort with the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), initiated at 10 am after intelligence was gathered and public complaints were received.

The raid came after several weeks of monitoring, prompted by information suggesting that the employer was allegedly hiring foreigners illegally to circumvent higher employment costs. Those detained include 364 men and 128 women, aged between 19 and 46, from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Cambodia. They were reportedly working without proper authorization and could not provide valid documentation.

All detained individuals are suspected of violating the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963. They have been taken to the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot for further investigation. Mohd Rusdi also mentioned that during the operation, some individuals attempted to flee or hide, and a local man, who managed the factory, was also detained.