Immigration Department Raids Petaling Street, Arrests 34 Foreign Nationals
Operation KL Strike Force
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Immigration Department launched a surprise operation, known as the "KL Strike Force," to crack down on the sale of counterfeit goods on Petaling Street, a notorious hotspot for foreign nationals involved in the illegal business. The operation, which began this afternoon, resulted in the arrest of 34 foreign nationals, with most of them being held for misusing their immigration passes.
Arrests and Inspections
According to Kuala Lumpur Immigration director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff, a total of 77 foreign nationals were inspected during the operation, which lasted more than an hour. Out of this number, 34 were arrested, with the majority being Bangladeshis, followed by Myanmar nationals, Pakistanis, and individuals from Mauritius and Nepal, aged between 22 and 55 years old.
Misuse of Immigration Passes
The most common offense committed by the arrested individuals was the misuse of their immigration passes. As Wan Mohammed Saupee explained, many of those arrested held valid temporary work visit passes and work permits but were not at their designated locations or with their actual employers. This is a clear indication that those involved in the counterfeit goods trade are not willing to follow the rules and regulations set by the Malaysian government.
Inspections at Premises
In addition to the arrests, the Immigration Department also carried out inspections at premises employing these foreign nationals. As a result, four local business owners were issued fines and required to report to the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office for further investigation. This shows that the authorities are taking a firm stance against those who facilitate the illegal activities of foreign nationals.
Conclusion
The operation highlights the need for stricter measures to be taken to prevent the sale of counterfeit goods on Petaling Street. The Immigration Department’s efforts to crack down on the illegal activities of foreign nationals are commendable, and it is essential that they continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure that those involved in the counterfeit goods trade are brought to justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the purpose of the "KL Strike Force" operation?
A: The operation was designed to crack down on the sale of counterfeit goods on Petaling Street and to prevent the misuse of immigration passes by foreign nationals.
Q: How many foreign nationals were arrested during the operation?
A: A total of 34 foreign nationals were arrested, with the majority being Bangladeshis, followed by Myanmar nationals, Pakistanis, and individuals from Mauritius and Nepal.
Q: What were the most common offenses committed by the arrested individuals?
A: The most common offense was the misuse of immigration passes, with many of those arrested holding valid temporary work visit passes and work permits but not at their designated locations or with their actual employers.