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Malaysia's Immigration Department arrests directors of manpower agency

Two directors and a marketing officer of a manpower agency in Seri Kembangan were arrested by the Malaysian Immigration Department yesterday (27 May).

As reported by Bernama, these arrests were made on suspicion of services being offered for the department's Rehiring Programme which had ended last year.

In fact, 29 foreign passports, registration receipts and advertisements were seized during a raid at the company's office, jointly conducted by the Manpower Department and Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council.

A foreign employee was also arrested for misusing his work permit.

According to Immigration Director-General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud, the company was found to be targetting "employers and illegal migrants by offering these services via social media with specific charges as deposit."

"The Immigration Department views these violations very seriously as these are syndicates who cheat people. The Rehiring Programme, in fact, ended on June 30 last year and was never extended."

He added that directors and marketing officer who were arrested are being investigated under Section 56(1) (f) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963, stressing: "I would like to advise employers to be wary and not fall for such offers without referring to us (Immigration) first.

"We are also sending out a warning to all manpower agencies involved in similar scams to stop them immediately or face the risk of stern action."

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