In recent years, the area around Kuala Lumpur's Pudu has seen a growing number of outsiders, and with that, a host of problems. The streets are now filled with unlicensed shops and illegal clinics, and many houses have been converted into cramped, makeshift rooms. Local business owners and residents have been watching this unfold, feeling increasingly anxious about the deteriorating environment and safety concerns.
This morning around 11 a.m., the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department, along with the municipal council and the health department's enforcement team, conducted a surprise operation in Pudu. The scene was packed as officials checked identification, going through about 2,500 people. By the end of the operation, they had detained 472 individuals—men and women aged between 18 and 62—who either lacked proper documentation or had overstayed their visas. These individuals came from several countries, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, and China.
The detainees have been taken to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Detention Center for processing. Meanwhile, the municipal council and the enforcement team are following up on the illegal shops and clinics that were identified. The authorities have made it clear that this crackdown on illegal workers and unlicensed businesses will continue. Local residents can only hope that once this wave of enforcement passes, their neighborhood will return to a more peaceful state.
