472 undocumented workers, including Nepalis, detained in Kuala Lumpur raids
Summary
Malaysian immigration authorities detained 472 undocumented migrant workers, including eight Nepalis, in raids across Kuala Lumpur’s Kotaraya area. Officials said the operation targeted foreign workers on their rest day, while Nepali representatives warned of the legal and labour risks faced by undocumented migrants in Malaysia.
Key Points
- Malaysian authorities detained 472 undocumented workers, including eight Nepalis, in a raid in Kuala Lumpur’s Kotaraya area.
- The detainees were from ten countries and were taken to Bukit Jalil Immigration Detention Centre for investigation and legal proceedings.
- Malaysia’s Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 is still active, allowing voluntary return with subsidised fines before arrests and deportation.
- Nepali workers and embassy officials said many become undocumented because of employer negligence, recruitment fraud, wage abuse, and passport confiscation.
