IPOH, 25 October 2026 – Malaysian immigration authorities detained 109 foreign nationals during two enforcement operations across Ipoh, Perak, targeting suspected immigration violations at entertainment outlets, massage centres and a wholesale market.
The coordinated operations, conducted from Saturday night until early Sunday morning, involved 66 enforcement personnel from the Perak Immigration Department, the Immigration Department’s Special Operations Intelligence Division in Putrajaya and the police.
Immigration Department deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli confirmed that 34 women and 75 men were detained during the operations.
Immigration Raids Target Entertainment Outlets and Wholesale Market
Under Ops Gegar, authorities inspected 70 foreign nationals at an entertainment centre and four massage centres, resulting in the detention of 34 women from Thailand and Vietnam.
The operation began at approximately 9 pm on Saturday.
In a separate enforcement exercise at the Ipoh Wholesale Market, which commenced at 1.30 am on Sunday, officers inspected 77 foreigners and detained 75 men from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Laos and Indonesia.
According to Lokman Effendi, several individuals attempted to escape during the raids but were subsequently apprehended by enforcement officers.
Suspected Immigration Violations Under Investigation
Those detained are suspected of breaching provisions of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
The suspected offences include failing to possess valid travel documents, remaining in Malaysia beyond the permitted period and misusing immigration passes or permits.
Authorities also issued five summonses to employers, requiring them to assist immigration officers with ongoing investigations.
Over 66,000 Foreign Nationals Detained Nationwide in 2026
The Immigration Department also disclosed the scale of its nationwide enforcement activities between January 1 and October 25, 2026.
According to Lokman Effendi, authorities carried out more than 11,000 enforcement operations, inspecting nearly 150,000 foreign nationals.
During that period, more than 66,000 foreigners were detained through various enforcement channels.
Of that total, over 41,000 were arrested during enforcement operations, while more than 24,000 were detained or handed over through other enforcement agencies, entry points and related operations.
The department also reported that more than 45,000 foreign nationals had been repatriated to their countries of origin following enforcement action.
The remaining individuals are undergoing further immigration procedures or other action by the relevant authorities.
Source: Bernama | Rewritten By Minutesmy
