Bangladeshi Migrants: 54 detained in Malaysia in 3 days

Fifty-four Bangladeshis were arrested in Malaysia during a joint operation carried out by the country’s Immigration Department and Road Transport Department (RTD) between Monday and yesterday, reports the New Straits Times.

The Bangladeshis were among 238 foreigners arrested during the three-day operation conducted simultaneously in 72 locations of the country, the report says.

A total of 5,285 foreigners were screened for various offenses under the country’s Immigration Act, the report adds.

Of the arrestees, 58 are Myanmar nationals, 56 Indonesians, 23 Pakistanis, 21 Filipinos and 26 from other countries, said Immigration Department Director General Khairul Dzaimee Daud.

“The focus was on foreign drivers, who were found driving commercial vehicles in the country. Most are found to have overstayed [their visas] or [were] staying without valid documents.

“Apart from that, inspections were also conducted at road blocks to ensure that foreigners possess valid passport and travel documents,” he said.

RTD DG Shaharuddin Khalid said his department identified 380 violations involving foreigners during the operation.

About 189 violations were related to not having driving licences, 47 for driving without a Goods Driving License (GDL), and 72 for driving with expired licences and driving without car insurance, he added.

“…foreigners are not allowed to drive commercial vehicles or public service vehicles in Malaysia,” he added, urging employers to pay serious attention to the issue.