49 Foreigners Detained at Iron Ore Mine in Dungun

Malaysian immigration officers apprehended 49 foreign nationals during an operation at an iron ore mining site in Bukit Besi, Dungun. The arrests were made after the foreigners were found to have committed various immigration offenses.

During the raid, which occurred at approximately 8 a.m., the foreign nationals employed deceptive tactics to avoid detection. Some resorted to diving and swimming in the iron ore mine's ponds, while others attempted to flee the scene. One Bangladeshi man, suspected of being an undocumented migrant, sustained injuries to his head, hands, and legs after slipping from a slope while trying to escape the authorities. He received immediate emergency treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

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They included six women and two children aged between 10 months and 66 years. It involved 24 Bangladeshi nationals, 17 Indonesians, seven from Myanmar, and one Indian man.

Immigration Deputy Director-General (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli stated that the arrested individuals included 24 from Bangladesh, 17 from Indonesia, seven from Myanmar, and one from India. The group also comprised six women and two children, whose ages ranged from 10 months to 66 years.

Lokman Effendi explained that the suspects used vehicles not belonging to the Immigration Department as a disguise to prevent the mining site's occupants from being alerted to the impending raid. The mine is located approximately two kilometers from the main road. All detained individuals are being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.

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They used disguised vehicles not belonging to the department to avoid the raid being known to the foreigners involved, who are believed to be working at the iron ore mine.