Bangladeshi with Malaysian PR status held over foreign worker supply racket

Police have detained a Bangladeshi national, holding a Malaysian permanent resident (MyPR) status, over allegations of operating an illegal foreign worker supply syndicate in the Klang Valley.

The arrest followed a month-long intelligence operation, reports Malaysian daily The Star.

Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the suspect was detained during a special operation at two locations in Semenyih, Selangor, on July 15.

He said six other foreign nationals, five Bangladeshis and one Thai woman, aged between 27 and 57, were also held.

“Initial checks found that the main suspect, a Bangladeshi national, is a Malaysian permanent resident (MyPR).

“One Bangladeshi man held a student pass, while the Thai woman possessed a temporary employment visit pass as a restaurant worker. The remaining foreign nationals did not have valid passes or travel documents to remain in the country,” he said in a statement on Friday (July 17).

Zakaria said immigration officers also seized 31 Bangladeshi passports, one Thai passport, copies of company registration documents, and RM48,524 in cash.

Investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly managed and supplied foreign workers without the necessary approvals, targeting local employers, particularly in the Klang Valley, who required foreign labour.

“The syndicate operated under the guise of business and food premises to avoid detection by the authorities.

“They also charged RM4,000 per worker to process and renew immigration passes,” he said.

The main suspect is being investigated under Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966 and Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

A Bangladeshi man and the Thai woman are being investigated under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, while the remaining foreign nationals are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

Zakaria said all seven suspects have been taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further action.

He added that notices had also been issued to four Malaysians and one Bangladeshi man to assist in the investigation.

“The Immigration Department will continue intensifying enforcement operations and take firm action against anyone found violating immigration laws to safeguard public order and security,” he said.