377 Bangladeshis Held in Malaysia Immigration Crackdown

Malaysian immigration authorities have detained 770 undocumented migrants, including 377 Bangladeshi nationals, during a large-scale enforcement operation in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur.

The raid, which took place on Tuesday evening, targeted gambling hubs and crowded entertainment spots along Jalan Bedara. Many of the undocumented migrants attempted to escape by climbing buildings, hiding under tables, or concealing themselves inside business premises, but all were eventually caught by enforcement teams.

The operation was carried out between 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm after local residents lodged repeated complaints about the large gatherings of foreigners in the neighbourhood. Authorities said locals had expressed concern that such activities were disturbing the community and contributing to social unrest.

During the raid, officials uncovered an online gambling den fitted with a sophisticated surveillance system, including closed-circuit cameras used to monitor the premises. This, they noted, pointed to the organised nature of some of the illegal activities in the area.

A total of 106 enforcement officers were deployed in the operation. They screened 2,445 individuals in just three hours, of whom 1,600 were foreigners and 845 were Malaysian citizens. Out of the 770 undocumented migrants detained, the largest group was from Bangladesh, followed by 235 men from Myanmar, 72 from Nepal, 58 from India, and 17 from Indonesia. Authorities also arrested nine individuals from other countries, including both men and women.

The detainees, aged between 21 and 65, were transported to the immigration headquarters in Putrajaya for preliminary screening. They will then be transferred to Bukit Jail and the Lenggeng immigration detention depot for further legal processing and investigation.

Officials stressed that the crackdown was part of an ongoing nationwide effort to curb illegal immigration, human trafficking, and unlawful activities linked to undocumented workers. They also reiterated that more raids are expected in the coming weeks as authorities respond to growing concerns about the presence of irregular migrants in major urban centres.

Malaysia has long been a key destination for Bangladeshi workers seeking overseas employment, with tens of thousands migrating each year through formal labour agreements. However, many also enter or remain in the country without proper documentation, exposing themselves to risks of detention, deportation, and exploitation.