Authorities reported that two Filipino children were rescued by the Johor Immigration Department in Malaysia at a manufacturing plant in Senai as part of an operation codenamed “Op Mahir” last 19 December 2024.

The operation aimed to address reports of undocumented foreign workers and the misuse of work permits in the country.

According to Johor Immigration Department director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus, the rescue involved a 12-year-old boy and girl, who were found among the 292 workers in the manufacturing plant.

The investigation revealed that both children had been employed at the factory for the past three months.

Both victims were taken to the Immigration Department’s enforcement division in Setia Tropika for further processing.

The manufacturing plant’s 44-year-old human resource officer was also detained for investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act of Malaysia.

On the same day, the immigration department of Malaysia also raided a transit house in Larkin Indah and dismantled a human trafficking syndicate that charged RM13,000 per person to smuggle Bangladeshi nationals into the country.

Malaysia also repatriated undocumented Filipinos last 20 December through the Lahad Datu Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security station.

The group consisted of 131 adults, 46 children, including a seven-month-old infant.