Chow Kit a hotspot for undocumented migrants, 500 held since January

New Straits Times

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has detained around 500 undocumented migrants in Chow Kit since January.
Kuala Lumpur Immigration director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said the area is considered a hotspot for foreigners in the capital.
He said the arrests were the result of ongoing monitoring and operations by the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department to tackle the issue of undocumented migrants.
"Since January, operations have been intensified, and their effectiveness is evident as many foreigners now feel uncomfortable living illegally in this country.
"Based on our statistics, Chow Kit is the main hotspot.
"Operations are carried out there every two weeks, and during each operation, about 50 to 100 people are detained," he said during Op Kutip in Chow Kit today.
In the latest operation, 72 undocumented migrants were arrested while asleep in a shop lot during a raid at 1.15am.
Wan Mohammed Saupee said the migrants had been renting the premises together, paying between RM300 and RM500 each. Most of them were working nearby.
Those arrested included 28 Indonesian men and 26 women, as well as two Myanmar men, 11 Bangladeshi men, two Indian men, one Nepali man, and two Pakistani men.
Six Malaysians were also detained.
They are believed to be working in the area as restaurant workers, cleaners, or doing odd jobs.
Wan Mohammed Saupee said some had overstayed, with the longest case being up to two years.
He added that the department will also track down the owner of the premises.
He urged undocumented foreigners to take the opportunity to return home voluntarily through the Migrant Repatriation Programme (PRM) 2.0.
He said this was the best way to avoid imprisonment.
"The Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department urges all foreigners to take advantage of PRM 2.0, which runs until April 2026.
"Don't wait to be arrested — legal action will be taken if you are caught.
"Return legally through PRM by paying only RM500, plus RM20 for a special pass," he said.