The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) apprehended several individuals lacking valid travel documentation in Johor on Sunday (25 February), including a Singaporean who had been residing in the country unlawfully for over a decade.

In a statement released by JIM Johor yesterday, it was revealed that 5 individuals were detained during an operation conducted jointly with the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) and the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) at approximately 9:30 am on Sunday.

The most notable among those detained was a Singaporean national who had been illegally staying in Malaysia for an astonishing 13 years. According to the statement, the 34-year-old man from Singapore had violated immigration laws by overstaying in Malaysia since 2011.

The Singaporean was apprehended on Jalan Wadihana, Johor Bahru, after JIM Johor responded to a public complaint regarding the construction of an illegal structure on public reserve land in the area.

Additionally, a Bangladeshi man was detained at the same location for breaching the conditions of his work permit pass.

In Pasir Gudang, three other foreigners were detained during the operation for immigration-related offenses. These included two Indonesian nationals and a Pakistani national, all of whom lacked a valid pass or permit to stay in Malaysia.

All five individuals detained were found to have committed offenses under:

• Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not possessing a valid pass or permit to stay in Malaysia
• Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for overstaying
• Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for breaching the conditions of a pass

Furthermore, one notice to appear at the JIM office was issued to one of the offenders to aid in the investigation. Currently, all detainees are held at the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot awaiting further action.