Immigration raids another migrant settlement in Negeri Sembilan

A Negeri Sembilan Immigration joint operation has uncovered another migrant settlement built on private land in Bandar Ainsdale, Seremban, where there were both legal workers and those who were undocumented.

Wooden structures that formed houses, a sundry shop, and a surau were discovered at the site estimated to be the size of two football fields, according to Utusan Malaysia.

The Malay-daily quoted Negeri Sembilan Immigration director Kennith Tan Ai Kiang who said they found Indonesian migrants who refused to return home after their permits had expired.

“Before this, there were those among the migrants who became construction workers at a nearby site. But when their housing project was completed, they did not return to their country and instead stayed on.

“In the beginning, they were legal workers but when their permit expired, there were those who did not return home,” Tan reportedly said.

“That is why we took action under Section 6(1)(C) Immigration Act 1959/1963 (Amendments 2002) for overstaying in this country.

“Our investigations found that after their work permit had expired, they charged a daily rate for work in order to support their lives,” he said.

In total, he said, there were 32 individuals arrested - 16 men, 15  women, and a child.

Tan, who last month led a raid on another migrant settlement in Nilai Spring, added that the Bandar Ainsdale site was located closer to the main road.

Meanwhile, Utusan Malaysia quoted Seremban district officer Mohd Nizam Tajul Arus who confirmed that the land belonged to a private developer.

“The land does not belong to the government, but a private developer.

“We are unsure whether the developer is aware that the area is now a migrant settlement and further investigations are ongoing,” said Nizam.

He added land owners are responsible to ensure that their property was not trespassed on by any parties to build an illegal settlement.

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