Eight Myanmar nationals arrested in Selangor immigration operation over alleged permit and documentation offences

One was suspected of acting as an illegal agent, while seven others were detained after preliminary investigations found they were either holding Temporary Work Passes (PLKS) or lacked valid travel documents.

A Myanmar citizen suspected of acting as an 'illegal agent' was officially in Selangor arrested on 1 August 2026, following a joint operation conducted by the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on 28 July.

According to preliminary investigations, the 'illegal agent' had a Temporary Work Pass (PLKS) from the services sector, four Myanmar citizens had a PLKS, while one male and two Myanmar citizens did not have any valid travel documents to be in the country.

The operation, which involved a team of officers and members of the Special Intelligence and Operations Division, Immigration Headquarters Putrajaya, seized 16 Myanmar passports, a copy of the PLKS believed to be fake, and documents related to the provision of workers. A Toyota Yaris vehicle alleged to be used by the syndicate for this activity, was also seized.

According to JIM, the modus operandi of the syndicate is believed to act as an 'illegal agent' by offering services to obtain PLKS believed to be issued illegally through the JIM's foreign worker management system that has been breached. The syndicate is believed to have been operating since the beginning of the year.

The suspect is being investigated for alleged offences under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966.

Meanwhile, four Myanmar nationals are being investigated for alleged offences under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while another three individuals — one male and two Myanmar nationals — are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act for allegedly remaining in the country without valid travel documents.

All eight individuals were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further investigation.

JIM said investigations are ongoing to identify other individuals linked to the alleged syndicate and reiterated that it will continue taking firm enforcement action against activities that violate Malaysia's immigration laws.

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Lead image / JIM Facebook