Malaysian police today arrested at least 53 Nepalis from Kuala Lumpur International Airport while trying to leave the country using fake documents. 

“Those arrested illegal immigrants were using what were believed to be false documents and passes,” Deputy Director at the Enforcement Division of the Malaysian Department of Immigration M Saravana Kumar said in a text message sent to THT. “We will launch an investigation and determine whether to fine them or imprison them.” With the launch of a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants in Malaysia from September 1, many Nepalis, who were staying there illegally, are now trying to leave the country. And in this process many are relying on fake documents, said officials at the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia, who did not want to be named. 

It is believed many more Nepalis may have reached the airport today with fake documents to fly to Nepal and that they might have fled the scene upon the arrival of Malaysian immigration officials. However, this could not be verified till the time this paper went to the press. 

The Nepal Airlines Corporation said out of 194 passengers who had bookings on the Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu flight, only 101 were on board the aircraft. “A total of 93 passengers did not report till the departure time,” an NAC official said.

Nepali embassy officials, citing unconfirmed reports, said around 40 Nepalis had successfully fled the scene and escaped arrest. On the first day of the launch of the crackdown on September 1, a total of 229 Nepalis were rounded up. 

“We will launch an investigation into all those detained and release them if they can produce proper documents. If they are found to be living in Malaysia illegally, they will be presented before the public prosecutor to decide whether to deport them, imprison them or slap fines on them,” Saravana said.

Published on: 24 September 2013 | The Himalayan Times