222 Bangladeshis arrested in one day operation in Malaysia

The country's immigration department has arrested 222 Bangladeshi expatriates in a raid in Malaysia's Kedah state. Apart from Bangladeshi, 5 Chinese and 1 Indian citizen were arrested in the operation.

They were arrested on Friday in a coordinated raid at an office providing services for changing foreign workers' employers in Kulim, Kedah state. 

Confirming the arrest, Kedah Immigration Director Mohammad Ridjuan Mohammad Zain said, 'A team of immigration officers from the Intelligence and Operations Unit of the Kedah GIM Enforcement Division conducted the operation. At this time, 228 foreign nationals were detained. Of whom 222 are Bangladeshis.

He further said, 'During the investigation, it was found that the employment agencies involved were providing services of changing employers in various jobs for a fixed fee.

The agency has been using social media to promote recruitment across all sectors. The detainees have been taken to the immigration office in Alor Setar for documentation process and further action.'

Urging expatriates in Malaysia to be more careful, the Kedah Immigration Director said, 'You have to be careful when choosing an employment agency. Go there after confirming whether the organization is registered by the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Home Affairs.