Kuala lumpur: A total of 125 illegal immigrants were apprehended by the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) in a raid on a 19-storey flat in Danau Kota, Setapak, early today. The operation targeted individuals residing illegally within the premises, resulting in a significant number of arrests.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kuala Lumpur Immigration director Wan Mohamed Saupee Wan Yusoff stated that the detainees included 81 men and 43 women, aged between 16 and 70, along with a child. The group comprised nationals from Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, with the majority being from Myanmar.

The raid commenced around midnight, following complaints regarding the presence of illegal immigrants in the area. Wan Mohamed Saupee detailed that a block with 380 housing units was identified through a two-week intelligence gathering initiative. Subsequently, inspections were conducted on 64 units, involving 400 individuals.

Wan Mohamed Saupee further mentioned that the arrested individuals were suspected of either lacking valid travel documents or overstaying their visas. The investigation is ongoing under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(4) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

Additionally, the inspection revealed that the housing units were rented to illegal immigrants, with monthly rentals ranging from RM700 to RM1,200, and room rentals from RM200 to RM400, depending on the property's condition. Wan Mohamed Saupee urged homeowners to verify the documents of foreign renters at the Immigration office to avoid repercussions under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for harboring illegal immigrants.

He also advised illegal immigrants to utilize the Migrant Repatriation Program 2.0, available until April 30, 2026, to voluntarily return to their countries of origin.