Latest news with #Basri
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Immigration Department detains 171 foreigners in raid
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 171 foreign nationals were detained by the Immigration Department for various offences during an operation in Jalan Masjid India yesterday. The nearly two-hour raid, led by Putrajaya Immigration Enforcement Division director Basri Othman, involved 160 officers who inspected 14 premises to ensure employers only hired foreigners with valid work permits. The operation followed public complaints and intelligence gathering. 'This is part of the department's approach to educate the public to only hire approved foreign workers who possess valid work passes,' said Basri. 'Out of 758 foreigners screened, 171 were found to have violated immigration regulations.' Offences included overstaying, not possessing valid documents, violating visit pass conditions and carrying unrecognised identification cards. He said some tried to flee or obstruct officers during the 12pm raid, which was hampered by heavy rain. 'Those without valid permits pretended to be customers to avoid detection. Some even tried to stop officers from conducting inspections,' he said, adding that personnel had been stationed in the area since 10am. Most detainees were from India and Bangladesh, with a few from Indonesia. Basri urged undocumented migrants to take advantage of the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0, which has been extended until April 30 next year. 'We warn employers to only hire foreign workers with valid permits. Those who violate the law will be brought to court.' He said this was the second operation in Jalan Masjid India this year, with more such raids expected.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Immigration detains 171 foreigners in Masjid India blitz
KUALA LUMPUR: There was tension in the air amid provocations when 171 foreigners were detained for various offences during an Immigration Department operation at Jalan Masjid India here today. Immigration Department enforcement division director Basri Othman said 14 business premises were inspected in the operation, which involved 160 officers and began at 10am. "The inspections were carried out to ensure that employers comply with regulations by hiring foreign workers with valid work passes. "This is also part of our ongoing efforts to educate the public to only employ foreign workers who have been approved or possess a valid work permit," he said in a press conference after the operation. Basri said 758 individuals were checked, comprising foreign workers, expatriates and Malaysians. Of that number, 171 foreigners were found to have violated immigration laws. "Some attempted to escape, while others provoked our enforcement personnel in an effort to obstruct inspections. "The heavy rain further complicated our task, especially when pursuing those who tried to flee through the back of the premises," he said. He added that among the common tactics used by undocumented migrants was disguising themselves as customers in the area to avoid detection. "Based on initial checks, several individuals were found without valid work passes, travel documents, or had overstayed. "The majority of those detained were from India and Bangladesh, with a smaller number from Indonesia," he said. The foreigners will be sent to the Immigration Detention Depot in Beranang, Selangor. Basri reminded foreigners in the country without valid permits to take advantage of the government's voluntary return programme to leave Malaysia before action is taken against them. "At the same time, we warn employers not to hire undocumented workers. Employers who are found guilty of hiring them will face prosecution in court," he said. — NSTP/HAIRUL ANUAR RAHIM
Barnama
2 days ago
- Barnama
171 Foreigners Arrested In Immigration Raid At Jalan Masjid India
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) arrested 171 foreign nationals in a one-hour enforcement operation around Jalan Masjid India here today. JIM Enforcement director Basri Othman, said the operation, which began at noon, saw 160 officers questioning 758 individuals, including 254 locals, and inspecting 14 business premises. 'Those arrested, hailing from India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, aged between 20 and 50, were detained for various immigration violations, including the lack of identification, overstaying, and violating visa conditions,' he said, adding that the cases are being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63. Basri also revealed that some foreigners attempted to disguise themselves as customers to avoid detection, but their efforts were thwarted. 'Our officers were in the area from 10 am to distinguish between foreign workers and genuine customers,' he added. All detainees have been taken to the Millenium temporary immigration depot in Beranang, Selangor. This operation marks the second enforcement effort in the area, following a similar raid on Feb 15. 'JIM intends to continue these operations to strengthen enforcement and ensure compliance by both employers and foreign workers,' Basri said. -- BERNAMA
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
'Ritchie's death a great loss to Sarawak's journalist fraternity'
KUCHING: Former "New Straits Times" (NST) staff correspondent for Sarawak, James Ritchie, died at Sarawak General Hospital here this morning. He was 75. His former classmate at St Thomas Secondary School, Edgar Ong, confirmed that James died at the hospital where he was admitted yesterday for an undisclosed sickness. He said James was in touch with him yesterday, but did not know that the veteran journalist was sick. "He sent me a selfie of himself yesterday at 12.43pm ," Ong, who is a close family friend of James and his wife, Helen, said, referring to a photograph that James had sent to him through WhatsApp. Veteran broadcast journalist Basri Mohamad, who is also Tokoh Wartawan Kenyalang Sarawak 2024, said James was an adventurous journalist who often journeyed deep into the interior to meet the Penan and the Orang Ulu communities to observe their way of life and share their stories. "His passing is a great loss to the journalist fraternity in Sarawak," Basri said, adding that James was passionate about his work, deeply committed, and genuinely cared about the people in the rural heartlands. "It is heartbreaking to hear of his passing. His legacy will live on through the stories he told and the lives he touched," Basri added. Former "New Straits Times" Sarawak bureau chief Joseph Bingkasan said James was writing articles for the former's online portal from 1.55am today, with his last line recorded at 9.41 am. He said during that period, James did not indicate that he was unwell. "He was writing about his family's migration from Europe to Malaya and then Sarawak. "He was starting to write how his family moved to Kuching, then suddenly he stopped writing at 9.41am today," Bingkasan said. He said James wrote the article on his mobile phone and then sent it to him via the WhatsApp application. "Sarawak Tribune" associate editor Rajah Murugayah said James was his mentor in the 1980s. He said that despite James being with NST and himself with the "Borneo Post", James frequently coached him on writing good features. Meanwhile, "Sarawak Tribune" reporter Priscilla Tawie said she saw James alone having his "kolo mee" at a coffee shop at Jalan Song yesterday morning. "I did not expect that he died this morning," she said, adding that he had shown no signs of illness. James was NST Sarawak staff correspondent for many years. He left the company in the late 1990s and became a freelance journalist, concentrating his efforts to writing books. During his time with NST in Kuching, he had won numerous journalism awards. He was named Tokoh Wartawan last year during the national-level Hari Wartawan celebration, which was held in Kuching.
