Crackdown in Malaysia: 506 Migrants Arrested Including Bangladeshis

In a large-scale immigration raid, Malaysian authorities have detained 506 undocumented migrants, including individuals from Bangladesh and several other countries.

The operation was led by the Malaysian Immigration Department, Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM), targeting illegal immigrants in a coordinated effort. While officials have not confirmed the exact number of Bangladeshis among those arrested, sources fear that the majority could be from Bangladesh.

The raid took place on Thursday, April 17, in a commercial area of Medan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur. Beginning at 7:30 pm, the enforcement action was carried out by a task force of 185 immigration officers from the department's headquarters and Negeri Sembilan branch. Officers from the National Registration Department and other supporting agencies also took part.

At a press conference later that night, Immigration Department Director General Datuk Zakaria bin Shaaban stated that a total of 895 individuals were screened—749 foreign nationals and 146 locals. Following document verification, 506 foreign nationals were arrested for allegedly violating immigration laws. The detainees are aged between 25 and 65.

During the raid, several individuals attempted to hide in homes, toilets, storerooms, and other concealed spaces to avoid capture. The offenses identified included lacking valid identification, overstaying visas, violating pass conditions, holding unauthorised ID cards, and other breaches of immigration regulations.