Sarawak immigration detains 42 foreigners in night raids
Authorities in Kuching arrested 42 non‑citizens on suspicion of unlawful entry or overstaying, underscoring stricter enforcement.
The short version
- 42 foreigners were detained between 10 pm on 10 Aug and 3 am on 12 Aug.
- Operations targeted shared houses and rented rooms in three Sarawak locations.
- Detentions were made under Section 15(1) and Section 6(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
- Immigration officials say raids will continue based on intelligence and public tips.
Nighttime raids in Kuching
The Kuching Immigration Enforcement Division carried out two coordinated sweeps, known as Ops Sapu and Ops Kutip, from the late evening of 10 August until the early hours of 12 August. Officers visited three sites – a cluster of shared houses on Jalan Merdang Limau, a rented room complex in Kota Samarahan and a property at Mile 6, Jalan Penrissen – to verify the immigration status of occupants.
During the checks, a total of 45 individuals were examined. Of those, 42 were taken into custody on suspicion of breaching immigration law, specifically unlawful entry under Section 15(1) and overstaying under Section 6(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. The remaining three were released after their documents were found to be in order.
Legal basis for the detentions
Section 15(1) of the Immigration Act criminalises entry into Malaysia without a valid permit, while Section 6(1) addresses the failure to leave the country after the permitted stay has expired. The department cited these provisions as the legal grounds for the arrests, emphasising that both offences carry penalties that may include fines, detention and deportation.
Immigration officials stressed that the operations were triggered by specific complaints and intelligence received by the enforcement division. They indicated that the raids form part of an ongoing effort to ensure compliance with immigration regulations across Sarawak, particularly in densely populated rental areas where undocumented residents are more likely to be found.
Public cooperation and future actions
The department called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected breaches of immigration law. A spokesperson said that tips from residents and businesses are instrumental in shaping future enforcement actions, and that the authorities will continue to intensify operations wherever credible information points to non‑compliance.
While the recent detentions focused on unlawful entry and overstaying, officials warned that any breach of immigration conditions – including failure to maintain required financial guarantees for programmes such as the Sarawak MM2H – could also attract scrutiny. The message to visa holders is clear: maintain up‑to‑date documentation and adhere strictly to the terms of their stay.
“The department said 45 individuals were inspected during Ops Sapu and Ops Kutip, with 42 detained on suspicion of offences under Section 15(1)© of the Immigration Act 1959/63.”
What it means
What this changes for an applicant
- Applicants and current holders of the Sarawak MM2H should double‑check that their financial deposits and other conditions remain valid, as intensified checks may extend to MM2H participants.
- Failure to comply with the visa’s renewal requirements could result in detention under the same sections used in the recent raids.
- Staying informed of local immigration enforcement trends and cooperating with any enquiries can help avoid unnecessary legal complications.
Source
This article was written by Malaysia Visa Guide, based on reporting by Malay Mail. We summarise and explain the news in our own words; we do not reproduce it. Read the original report for the publisher's full account.
Last updated 17 August 2026.
News is a starting point, not advice.
For what this means in your own case, the verified figures live in the Sarawak MM2H guide, or run the eligibility checker.