KOTA BHARU – Murder cases and fighting involving non-Malaysians had led Kelantan police to discover that many foreigners were working illegally in the state.
State acting police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun said they discovered this following their investigations into such cases over the last three months.
He added these illegal foreigners were mostly working at smallholdings in several districts in Kelantan such as Gua Musang, Jeli and Kuala Krai.
“Police teams deployed to murder scenes as well as areas where foreigners were involved in fights, later found that a majority of those involved did not have any travel documents.
“They have been hired by locals to work at the smallholdings illegally and the situation will worsen if left unchecked.
“Besides the three districts, we also believe there are many illegal foreigners working in the Lojing highlands,” he said.
Zaki said the state police would work closely with the Immigration Department to resolve the issue.
“Apart from that, we have set up a special task force at our headquarters and district police stations to oversee these incidents,” he added.
Zaki warned locals not to hire illegal foreigners as stern action could be taken against them under the Immigration Act and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
Source: NEW STRAITS TIMES
