Nine illegals with ‘immunity cards’ detained in raid

They had paid RM2,600 to obtain these cards, which were supposed to prevent them from being arrested by authorities.

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Immigration Department detained nine illegal immigrants possessing so-called “immunity cards” in an operation at Pandan Indah yesterday.

These cards could purportedly protect them from being detained by the authorities.

Immigration director-general Mustafar Ali said by paying RM2,600, the illegal immigrant could obtain the so-called “immunity card”, which is supposed to enable them to escape from any legal action by the authorities.

In the operation at a factory in the Light Industrial Area, Pandan Indah, about 11am yesterday, immigration officers detained nine illegal immigrants, including five foreign women, suspected of committing various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) and the Immigration Regulations 1963.

“When an inspection was carried out, the factory workers concerned had produced the so-called ‘immunity card’,” he said in a statement here today.

Mustafar said the department had never recognised or authorised any party to issue any card, such as the welfare card, immigration card or immunity card, that purportedly could give protection to the immigrants from any legal action.

He said that Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 provided a fine of not less than RM10,000 imposed on any individual found protecting any illegal immigrant in Malaysia.

Mustafar said the raiding team was forced to break open the main door to the factory.

“Shortly after breaking open the door, the officers introduced themselves and carried out a comprehensive check on the factory.

“Thirteen people were checked and nine people, including two male Indian nationals and a Bangladeshi, and five female Indonesians, were detained,” he said.

All the detainees were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation.

A local man, who was the employer at the premises inspected, was given notice to be present at the immigration office to give his statement. -FMT