Malaysian immigration authorities have arrested 165 Bangladeshi nationals during a large-scale crackdown on undocumented migrants in Kuala Lumpur, part of a broader operation that led to the detention of 506 foreign nationals.
The raid, conducted Thursday night by the Immigration Department in the Medan Imbi area, targeted multiple residential blocks along Jalan Barat, Jalan Melati, and Jalan Khoo Teik Ee. A total of 895 individuals were screened during the operation, including 146 Malaysians.
According to local media outlet ‘New Straits Times’, those detained are suspected of violating the Immigration Act 1959/63. The majority were found without valid identification, had overstayed their visas, or possessed unrecognized documents, including UNHCR cards issued by third countries.
Of the 506 arrested, 448 were men—primarily from Bangladesh (165) and Nepal (124). Authorities also detained 58 women, including 40 Indonesians and 18 Nepalese nationals.
Immigration Department Director General Zakaria Shaaban said 185 officers were deployed for the late-night raid, which began around 7:30 p.m. and quickly descended into chaos as several migrants attempted to flee. Some abandoned their footwear while escaping, running barefoot through the streets.
Two men, one from Myanmar and another from Nepal, sustained minor injuries while trying to evade capture and were treated by Fire and Rescue Department personnel. A pregnant Indian woman who fell ill during the operation was transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
“Some rooms were overcrowded—five or six people in a single room, and up to 30 individuals in a single house,” Zakaria revealed, adding that makeshift room extensions had been built to accommodate more occupants. One detainee said four people shared a room costing RM600 per month.
Those arrested have been taken to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot for further investigation.
This is not the first time Medan Imbi has been targeted. A similar raid took place in February, highlighting ongoing concerns over undocumented migrant communities in the area.
Zakaria emphasized that enforcement will continue. “We will keep monitoring this area and other hotspots. Surprise raids will be conducted throughout the year to ensure compliance with immigration laws.”
As of April 16, a total of 22,486 undocumented migrants have been detained across Malaysia during similar enforcement drives.
