496 illegal immigrants nabbed in Seri Kembangan night raid [WATCH]
Some went as far as hiding in the ceilings, while others tried his luck behind curtains to avoid arrest.
The chaos during the integrated operation, which began at 10pm, caught the attention of residents.
Some even stepped in to assist enforcement personnel by pointing out units believed to be housing undocumented foreigners.
A long-time resident, who has lived in the apartment complex for 12 years, welcomed the enforcement action.
"The number of foreigners has been increasing, and it's become a problem.
"They throw rubbish everywhere, get into fights, and make the place dirty," he said.
Several foreigners refused to come down from their hiding spots in the ceiling, prompting officers to climb up and physically extract them.
One person sustained minor injuries after falling during a failed escape attempt.
The operation, involving 217 personnel from seven enforcement agencies, led to the arrest of 496 illegal immigrants out of 741 foreigners inspected.
Malaysian Immigration Department deputy director-general (Operations) Jafri Embok Taha said the joint operation involved officers from the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Immigration Departments, the General Operations Force, Civil Defence Force, Subang Jaya City Council, and the National Registration Department.
Those detained, aged between two months and 60, comprised nationals from Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, Cambodia, and Nepal.
The bulk of the detainees were 275 men, 80 women, and 30 children from Myanmar, followed by Indonesians (37 men and 25 women).
"Others included foreigners from Bangladesh (15 men), Pakistan (13 men), Thailand (three men and one woman), Cambodia (one woman and two children), and Nepal (14 men).
"They were detained for various immigration offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, including overstaying, lacking valid documents, violating pass conditions, and possessing unrecognised cards.
"All of them will be placed at the Semenyih Immigration Depot for investigation and further action," he said at a press conference.
The department also uncovered three residential units being used as online gambling dens, believed to be operated by locals but employing and serving foreigners.
Jafri reminded the public not to harbour, hire, or protect undocumented migrants, warning that doing so could lead to legal repercussions.
He urged those with information about illegal immigrants to come forward.
As part of ongoing efforts to manage undocumented migrants, the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 is available from May 19 to April 30 next year.
"The programme allows foreigners to voluntarily return to their home countries for a compound fine of RM500 and a special pass fee of RM20.
He said the programme is available at four Selangor immigration offices, namely, Shah Alam, Kelana Jaya, Port Klang, and Kajang.
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