Undocumented migrants living in the locked-down Menara City One condominium were today arrested in an Immigration Department raid, said sources.
In the sting, officers went door to door, asking to see residents’ passports.
Sources told The Malaysian Insight that the operation took place at about 10am. They declined to give further details.
“The Immigration Department led the operation, which took place around 10am today. Personnel were in full personal protective equipment gear, and they went to each unit to check on foreign workers,” said one source.
“They detained a number of undocumented migrant workers, but the exact number is still unknown.”
The department has yet to issue a statement on the raid, while the Dang Wangi district police chief has not picked up calls.
Earlier, The Star reported that police and Immigration Department trucks were seen parked in Jalan Munshi Abdullah about 10.30am.
The English daily said reporters at the site were made to understand that the authorities would conduct sanitisation works and health screenings.
Around noon, several people, believed to be undocumented migrants, were seen sitting in one area of the building.
Menara City One was the first high-rise residential block to be placed under the enhanced movement-control order (EMCO) in Kuala Lumpur.
The lockdown took effect on March 31, affecting some 3,200 residents in 502 units.
Another two residential buildings, namely Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion, also in the Masjid India area, were placed under the EMCO on April 7 after 15 Covid-19 cases were detected there.
About 5,000 people live in the two flats’ 365 units.
Residents under the EMCO are not allowed to leave the premises and are provided with food and other essentials by the government, while health authorities conduct mass testing for the coronavirus.
Putrajaya had said it would not take action against illegal migrants and foreigners who overstay in the three buildings. – TMI