155 Bangladeshis among 234 foreign workers detained in Malaysia

Malaysian immigration authorities have detained 234 foreign workers, including 155 Bangladeshis, during raids on three factories in Johor state over alleged immigration violations.

The workers were detained for allegedly lacking valid documents, overstaying their visas and misusing approved passes or work permits, according to the Johor Immigration Department.

The first operation was conducted at two furniture factories in Parit Jamil, Muar, on Tuesday. During the nearly two-hour raid, authorities detained 176 male foreign workers, including 147 Bangladeshis, 27 Nepalis, two Chinese nationals and one Myanmar national.

Two local women who were responsible for factory management were also detained for questioning.

Immigration officials said some workers attempted to flee during the raid, but officers had surrounded the entire factory premises, preventing them from escaping.

Later around noon, officers raided a wood-processing factory in the Jalan Air Hitam-Yong Peng area of Batu Pahat. They detained 58 foreign workers, including seven women.

The group comprised 24 Myanmar nationals, 16 Indians, eight Bangladeshis, seven Chinese nationals, two Nepalis and one Pakistani.

A local lorry driver was also detained during the operation.

The detained workers, aged between 20 and 50, are expected to face legal action under various provisions of Malaysia’s Immigration Act 1959.

Preliminary investigations found allegations including entering Malaysia without valid travel or employment documents, overstaying visas and misusing designated passes or permits, the immigration department said.

All 234 detainees were taken to immigration detention centres in Pekan Nanas and Pontian in Johor for questioning and further legal proceedings.