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39 Foreigners Arrested for Working as Waiters, Cooks in Johor Bahru
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ Malaysia /Crime & Justice

39 Foreigners Arrested for Working as Waiters, Cooks in Johor Bahru

From Utusan Malaysia · (7m ago) Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Malaysian immigration authorities arrested 39 foreign nationals in Johor Bahru for working illegally.
  • The individuals, aged 19 to 46, were employed as waiters and cooks without valid passes.
  • The operation targeted food premises suspected of immigration offenses.

The Johor Immigration Department has once again demonstrated its commitment to upholding immigration laws with the successful execution of Ops Selera in Johor Bahru. This operation, which led to the detention of 39 foreign nationals, underscores the persistent issue of illegal employment within the state's food service sector.

These individuals, hailing from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, were found working as waiters and cooks, often exploiting social visit passes. Their ages range from 19 to 46, indicating a broad spectrum of individuals engaging in these illicit activities. The department's swift action, based on public information and intelligence, is crucial in maintaining order and ensuring that employment opportunities are prioritized for legal residents.

Seramai 39 warga asing ditahan terdiri daripada 20 lelaki Myanmar, 10 lelaki Bangladesh, dua lelaki Indonesia, seorang wanita Bangladesh dan enam wanita Myanmar. Turut ditahan seorang lelaki tempatan dipercayai pengurus sumber manusia

โ€” Datuk Mohd. Rusdi Mohd. DarusThe Director of Johor Immigration detailing the nationalities and roles of those detained.

From our perspective at Utusan Malaysia, this operation is a necessary measure to protect the integrity of our borders and the local job market. While we acknowledge the need for labor, it must be conducted through legal channels. The detention of these 39 individuals, including a local human resources manager suspected of facilitating their employment, sends a clear message that such violations will not be tolerated.

This crackdown is not just about enforcing the law; it's about safeguarding the livelihoods of Malaysian citizens and ensuring fair competition within the industry. The Johor Immigration Department's proactive approach, as highlighted in this report, is vital for the economic stability and security of the region. We commend their efforts in conducting these operations efficiently and effectively.

Bertindak atas maklumat awam dan risikan, operasi dijalankan serentak ke atas beberapa buah premis makanan telah berjaya mengesan kehadiran warga asing yang bekerja tanpa pas yang sah serta menyalahgunakan kemudahan pas lawatan sosial.

โ€” Datuk Mohd. Rusdi Mohd. DarusThe Director of Johor Immigration explaining the basis and success of the operation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.