Malaysian Authorities Detain 41 Undocumented Migrants in Kelantan and Kedah Crackdown

KOTA BHARU, Malaysia — April 2026 — Malaysian enforcement authorities have detained 41 undocumented migrants in two separate immigration operations in the northern states of Kelantan and Kedah, highlighting stepped‑up efforts to address illegal entry and unauthorized employment of foreign nationals.

In Kelantan, a combined team led by the South‑east Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) arrested 20 Myanmar nationals in a raid at a residence in Chabang Empat, Tumpat, on Saturday. Officials said the group — 14 men and six women aged between 19 and 36 — reportedly paid migrant agents around RM8,000 each to be smuggled from Myanmar into Malaysia via illegal routes through Thailand.

According to SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain, commander of the GOF, the suspects were apprehended at about 1.15pm while gathered inside the property. Further checks revealed that none could produce valid travel documents, and they are believed to have entered Malaysia through river routes used by human smuggling networks.

All 20 individuals have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Tumpat District Police Headquarters for further legal action under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963.

Meanwhile, in Kedah, immigration officers conducted an Operasi Kutip enforcement sweep at a shopping mall in Sungai Petani on Sunday afternoon. Of the 127 foreign nationals inspected during the operation, 21 failed to show valid passes or work permits and were subsequently detained.

The Immigration Department’s statement said some individuals attempted to flee upon sighting enforcement officers, but could not escape due to the area being sealed off.

These coordinated actions in Kelantan and Kedah come amid broader national efforts to tighten immigration controls and disrupt illegal migrant networks, as authorities continue to enforce compliance with Malaysia’s immigration and employment laws.