Failure to sing 'Negaraku' exposes undocumented migrant's cover
An undocumented migrant's attempt to avoid arrest by claiming to be a local during a raid on an apartment complex in Bandar Sunway was exposed after failing to sing the national anthem, Negaraku.
The suspect, in his 30s, was among 597 undocumented migrants detained for various immigration offences during checks on 1,597 foreigners in a raid that began at 9pm.
Immigration deputy director-general (Operations) Jafri Embok Taha said...
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New Straits Times
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Scores of women among 236 held in Johor entertainment raid
JOHOR BARU: More than 200 illegal immigrants, primarily from Southeast Asia, including scores of women, were detained during a late-night enforcement operation conducted by the Johor Immigration Department. Immigration Deputy director-general (Operations) Jafri Embok Taha said the raid, dubbed Op Kutip, was carried out between 11.50pm and 2.15am following three weeks of surveillance and public tip-offs. A total of 236 illegal immigrants were detained, he said, adding that the sweep was carried out at two entertainment centres in Stulang Laut. Jafri said a total of 473 individuals, including locals, were screened during the operation. "The migrants attempted to flee and hide behind pillars and in concealed rooms. "However, our officers were well prepared and managed to round them up efficiently," he told the media after the crackdown early today. The detainees, aged between 17 and 40, included 111 Thai women and three Thai men, 43 Vietnamese women and 13 Vietnamese men, 23 Bangladeshi men, and 14 Indian men. Others arrested were 10 Pakistani men, seven Nepalese men, four Chinese men and one Chinese woman, four Laotian women, and three Indonesian men. They were held for offences under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act for lacking valid passes or permits, and Section 15(1)(c) for overstaying. All detainees were taken to the Immigration Detention Depot at the Setia Tropika Immigration Complex for further action.
The Star
24-05-2025
- The Star
‘Negaraku' test catches out illegal
Crackdown: Detained immigrants lining up before being loaded on trucks after the raid at Mentari Court in Petaling Jaya. — Bernama Man's bid to outsmart Immigration falls flat PETALING JAYA: An illegal immigrant hoping to avoid arrest by claiming to be a local during a raid on an apartment complex here was exposed after failing to sing the national anthem, Negaraku. The male suspect, in his 30s, was among 597 illegal immigrants detained for various immigration offences during checks on 1,597 foreigners in a raid that began at 9pm on Thursday. Immigration deputy director-general (Operations) Jafri Embok Taha said a large-scale operation was conducted. 'All those detained, comprising 472 males and 125 females, are aged between 11 and 59,' he told reporters after the operation at Mentari Court, Bernama reported. He said the raid was carried out following two weeks of intelligence gathering after receiving public complaints about foreigners living in the area. Apart from pretending to be locals, some foreigners detained during the raid risked their lives by attempting to jump from the fifth floor but were stopped by officers. Jafri said among the offences were not having identification documents, overstaying, holding unrecognised cards, as well as other violations of the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966 and the Immigration Regulations 1963. He added that all those detained were taken to the Immigration Detention Depot in Semenyih for further investigation. Jafri said initial investigations revealed that some locals had rented out their units in the apartment to illegal immigrants. 'It is learnt that the rental rate for a house ranges from RM1,100 to RM1,300, while some houses have been modified with partitions and rented out at RM280 per room,' he said.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- The Sun
Foreign man busted after failing to sing ‘Negaraku'
PETALING JAYA: A foreign man's attempt to pass off as a Malaysian fell apart during a raid at an apartment in Bandar Sunway when he failed to prove his nationality in a simple test — singing the national anthem. 'I'm from here, but I forgot how to sing 'Negaraku,'' he claimed when asked to sing the anthem, a response that quickly exposed his lie during the Immigration Department's (JIM) Ops Mega on Thursday. ALSO READ: Immigration busts clinic employing uncertified foreign doctor During the operation, various tactics were used by foreigners to avoid arrest, including refusing to open their doors to enforcement officers, Sinar Harian reported. Some even went to extreme lengths, like hiding on the apartment's rooftop, risking their lives. Deputy Director-General (Operations) of Immigration, Jefri Embok Taha, said the operation, which started at around 9pm, involved 390 officers and personnel from various agencies. It was led by the Selangor Immigration Department following over two weeks of intelligence gathering. The agencies involved included Immigration offices from Putrajaya, KLIA, and Kuala Lumpur; the General Operations Force (PGA); the National Registration Department of Selangor; Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) enforcement; and the Civil Defence Force (APM) Selangor. 'This large-scale operation involved 1,597 foreigners from various nationalities, and 597 of them were arrested for being undocumented migrants (PATI),' he said. 'All of the arrested individuals were between 11 and 59 years old, consisting of 472 men and 125 women.' He mentioned that the foreign nationals tried various tactics to avoid arrest during the operation. 'Some pretended to be locals, some delayed the inspection by refusing to open their doors, and others even attempted to flee when they realised the authorities were present. 'However, thanks to the efficiency of the Immigration Department and support from other agencies, these attempts were successfully handled without any injuries or unwanted incidents,' he said. According to him, the offences identified included not having identification documents, overstaying, possessing unrecognised cards, and other violations of immigration laws. 'This operation is ongoing to detect, arrest, prosecute, and deport foreigners who violate provisions under the Immigration Act 1963, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. 'Landlords and employers are also reminded not to rent out their properties or illegally employ undocumented migrants, as doing so will lead to strict legal action,' he added. Jefri said all those arrested will be sent to the Semenyih Immigration Depot for further action. He also urged the public to come forward and share any information related to undocumented migrants with the Immigration Department.
