IPOH: A popular eatery in Canning Garden here has been raided, with 12 undocumented migrants arrested by the Immigration Department.
Perak deputy director Sharmanrizal Rustam stated that the 11 Myanmar men and one Indonesian woman were arrested during the operation between 8:15am and 9:30am on Friday (Feb 23).
Checks were carried out at the eatery and the first floor of the building, which served as the restaurant workers’ quarters where the undocumented migrants were found to be busy working and unaware of the team’s presence.
Those detained would be investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not having valid passes to be in the country and also under Section 15(1)(c) of the same Act for overstaying, and Rule 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations for violating visit pass conditions.
Furthermore, the matter will also be examined under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, as well as the Passport Act 1966, as stated by Sharmanrizal.
He also mentioned that the employer and owner of the premises will be investigated for allowing the undocumented migrants to be on the grounds, and stern action will be taken against them if they are found to have committed wrongdoings.
Sharmanrizal emphasized that legal action can be taken against employers or individuals who employ or shelter undocumented migrants, and urged the public to continue providing information on such cases.
