Malaysia Immigration Detains 15 in Gambling Raid

Malaysia’s Immigration Department has detained 15 foreign nationals following a raid on four suspected gambling premises in Pandan Jaya.

The enforcement operation started at 12:01 am on Saturday, after authorities spent a month gathering intelligence based on information received from the public. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the four premises were identified for enforcement action following information provided to the authorities.

The 15 people detained comprised six men and nine women, aged between 21 and 38.

Among those arrested were a Bangladeshi man and an Indonesian woman who were believed to have been working at the premises as caregivers and cashiers.

The remaining detainees included three Myanmar men, two Indonesian men, one Bangladeshi man, one Indian man and six Indonesian women.

Immigration Status Issues Identified

Immigration checks found that the detainees had either misused their passes, remained in Malaysia beyond the permitted period, or did not possess valid travel documents or passes authorising their stay.

All 15 foreign nationals were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further investigation.

The Immigration Department is examining the individuals’ suspected links to the gambling premises as part of its ongoing investigation.

Authorities also issued notices to five Malaysian men, ordering them to report to the Immigration Office to assist with the investigation.

No further details were provided about the roles of the five local men or their potential connections to the suspected activities at the four premises.

Passports, Devices and Cash Seized

Immigration officers recovered seven Indonesian passports, 31 tablets and 15 mobile phones during the operation.

Officials also seized an employee roster, copies of tenancy agreements and RM1,674 in cash, which was believed to represent proceeds from gambling activities.

The seized devices, documents and other materials are being examined as part of the investigation into the suspected closed-door gambling operations.

The 31 tablets and 15 mobile phones recovered from the premises are among the equipment being reviewed by investigators. Authorities are also examining the employee roster and tenancy agreements in connection with the people involved at the locations.

Gambling Outlets Used Restricted Access

According to Zakaria, the four locations operated as closed-door gambling outlets where access was limited to regular or known customers.

The premises had closed-circuit television cameras installed to monitor activity and identify the presence of enforcement officers.

Entry was controlled using magnetically locked metal doors that could be operated from inside the premises. This allowed those inside to determine who could enter the gambling locations.

The security arrangements included CCTV monitoring and controlled doors designed to restrict access to the premises and observe activity around the outlets.

The enforcement operation targeted four suspected gambling locations in Pandan Jaya. Authorities did not disclose how long the premises had been operating or the number of customers using them.

Investigation Continues Under Immigration Laws

Four Indonesian women are being investigated under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act. A further Indonesian woman is being investigated under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.

The remaining foreign nationals are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

The investigation remains underway as Immigration officers examine the detainees’ identities and documentation, together with the electronic devices and other materials seized during the raid.

Zakaria said the Immigration Department would continue carrying out enforcement operations against activities that breach Malaysia’s laws.