Immigration Crackdown In Ipoh Nets 109 Undocumented Foreigners In Twin Midnight Raids

IPOH, Oct 25 – The Immigration Department (JIM) detained 109 undocumented foreign nationals during two targeted enforcement raids conducted across Ipoh from Saturday night through early Sunday morning, October 25, 2026.

JIM Deputy Director-General (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli confirmed that the joint operations led to the detention of 34 women under Ops Gegar at local entertainment and massage outlets, while 75 men were rounded up at the Ipoh Wholesale Market.

The multi-agency sweep mobilized 66 enforcement personnel from Perak JIM, the Putrajaya JIM Special Operations Intelligence Division, and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

“Ops Gegar began at 9:00 PM on Saturday, with inspections conducted on 70 foreigners, while the operation at the Ipoh Wholesale Market commenced at 1:30 AM on Sunday, involving checks on 77 individuals,” Lokman Effendi told reporters during a press conference in Ipoh on Sunday morning.

Despite escape attempts by several foreign workers when enforcement teams moved in, officers successfully cordoned off all exits and detained the suspects.

Country Breakdowns, Legal Violations, and Annual Enforcement Metrics

Key operational findings, employer summonses, and nationwide immigration statistics include:

• Nationalities Detained: Foreigners picked up at the Ipoh Wholesale Market comprised citizens from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Laos, and Indonesia, whereas those detained under Ops Gegar at the entertainment venue and four massage centers originated from Thailand and Vietnam.
• Statutory Offence Investigations: The suspects were detained for committing infractions under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963, including failure to present valid travel documents, overstaying beyond permitted limits, and violating pass conditions.
• Employer Summonses Issued: Enforcement officers issued five official summonses to premises owners and employers, directing them to present themselves at the state Immigration enforcement office to facilitate investigations into illegal employment practices.
• Nationwide Operations Data: From January 1 through October 25, 2026, JIM executed over 11,000 enforcement operations across Malaysia, inspecting nearly 150,000 foreign nationals.
• Detention & Repatriation Totals: Over 66,000 undocumented migrants have been detained nationwide during this period—including 41,000 via direct raids and 24,000 handed over by partner enforcement agencies—with more than 45,000 foreigners successfully repatriated following legal proceedings.

–NMT