KUALA LUMPUR, November 12 – A massive integrated operation to flush out illegal immigrants and the locals involved in encroachment activities in Cameron Highlands will be carried out soon, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim.
“A total of 4,500 Myanmar nationals with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) ID cards working in Cameron Highlands will not be spared from prosecution if found to have violated the law,” he told reporters after chairing a special meeting on flash floods and landslides in Cameron Highlands at Parliament Tuesday.
He added that UNHCR representatives had met him and informed that UNHCR card holders were not above the law.
“Rohingya refugees with UNHCR ID cards have been found working illegally on the Highlands, he said.
Two days ago, 181 illegal immigrants were arrested for various offences in a ‘Gempak and Mesra’ Ops by the Immigration Department in seven locations around Cameron Highlands.
As a follow up, agencies under the Home Ministry would also be deployed to track down agents believed to be offering a wide range of jobs to cheat foreign workers.
In a mud flood and landslide incident in Cameron Highlands last Wednesday, five people died, including foreigners, while five others were injured.
– BERNAMA
