In a major crackdown on undocumented workers, the Malaysian Immigration Department arrested 297 Bangladeshi nationals from a construction site in Penang’s Bayan Lepas industrial area on Tuesday, June 4. The raid, codenamed ‘Op Sapu’, involved identity checks on 520 individuals, resulting in 314 arrests for immigration violations.
Alongside the Bangladeshi detainees, authorities also apprehended 13 Pakistanis, 2 Myanmarese, 1 Indian, and 1 Indonesian— all adult males. No women, children, or labor recruiters were detained during the operation. Social media footage showed a heavy security presence, including armored vehicles, as migrants were lined up for processing.
The arrested individuals are expected to face legal proceedings under Malaysia’s Immigration Act and may be deported following verification. The operation reflects Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration enforcement, especially in sectors heavily reliant on foreign labor such as construction and agriculture.
