THE Immigration Department detained 61 illegal immigrants at an illegal settlement in an oil palm plantation at Taman Perindustrian Air Hitam in Klang last night.

Its director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the immigrants – 32 men, 29 women, 18 children and a six-month-old baby – were picked up in the 11.30pm operation.

He said their surveillance found the settlement had been in existence for the past six years, with 30 to 40 houses equipped with electricity and water supply.

“These immigrants are believed to have been using illegal power and water supply connections and the wastewater from toilets was pumped into the river. The condition of the settlement is very dirty and unfit for living. I fear it will pose a health threat.

“Some of them grow chillies, yams and bananas and raise chickens to support themselves. Most of these foreigners work as cleaners near this area,” he told reporters.

He said more than 30 immigrants were believed to have escaped.

A check by Bernama also found that the settlement had a surau, a grocery shop and a badminton court. – Bernama, March 18, 2023.