KUALA LUMPUR: Penang Immigration Police, in a drive against illegal migrants, detained 12 Bangladeshis among 55 foreigners at the Bukit Mertajam Fish Wholesalers Association’s market.

In a two-hour raid, the foreign workers were found hidden into a water tank in the market to avoid arrest.

Of them, 42 were from Myanmar, 12 from Bangladesh and one from Nepal.

Director of the Penang immigration department Hasbullah Abdul Rashid said during the drive, many Bangladeshis were hidden into boxes, water tanks. But police caught all of them and taken to Seberang Jaya Police Station for investigation.

Malaysian police started its month-long operation against illegal foreign workers from December 19.

According to crimes statistics in 2014, eight per cent of crimes in the country were committed by illegal immigrants. Besides, illegal immigrants, the Malaysia government is also going to take strict action against manpower brokers. 

BDST: 1217 HRS, DEC 24, 2014