Malaysian immigration authorities have arrested seven people, including a Bangladeshi permanent resident, during a special operation targeting an illegal foreign worker supply syndicate in Semenyih, Selangor.

The operation, conducted on July 15 by the Intelligence and Special Operations Division of the Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya, followed a month-long intelligence investigation. Officers raided two locations, a business premise and a food outlet, suspected of being used to run the operation.

Among those arrested was a Bangladeshi man holding Malaysia Permanent Resident (MyPR) status, who is believed to be the company owner and employer. The others detained were four Bangladeshi men, one Bangladeshi woman and one Thai woman, aged between 27 and 57.

Preliminary investigations found that one Bangladeshi national held a valid Student Pass, while the Thai woman possessed a Temporary Employment Visit Pass as a restaurant worker. The remaining foreign nationals were found to have no valid immigration passes or travel documents.

During the raid, immigration officers seized 31 Bangladeshi passports, one Thai passport, company registration documents and RM48,524 in cash.

According to the Immigration Department, the syndicate is believed to have operated an illegal business supplying and managing foreign workers without the required government approvals. It allegedly targeted employers, particularly in the Klang Valley, seeking foreign workers and charged RM4,000 per worker for processing and renewing immigration passes.

The department said the operation was disguised through a business premise and a food outlet to avoid detection.

The main suspect is being investigated under the Passports Act 1966 and the Immigration Act 1959/63. Other detainees are being investigated under relevant provisions of the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations for immigration-related offences.

All seven suspects have been taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further investigation. Immigration authorities have also issued notices to a Malaysian man, three Malaysian women and another Bangladeshi man to assist in the probe.

Immigration Director-General Zakaria Shaaban said the department would continue intensifying enforcement operations and take firm action against individuals and syndicates involved in immigration offences to safeguard public security and order.