Malaysia has denied entry to 51 Bangladeshi nationals at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 after they were found using fake hotel bookings and attempting to evade immigration checks.
The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) reported that a routine inspection of 67 foreign arrivals on Thursday revealed multiple violations among the 51 individuals, reports The Star.
"During the checks, several individuals were spotted loitering suspiciously in the Arrival Hall without immediately reporting to the officers on duty," AKPS said in a statement on Friday.
"Some even attempted to bypass immigration procedures, raising concerns about their actual purpose of entry," it added.
During the inspection, one individual attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended by officers.
Authorities determined that the individuals failed to meet entry requirements under the Immigration Act 1959/63. Many had falsified documents, lacked sufficient funds to support their stay, and could not provide a valid reason for their visit.
Some even admitted their real intention was to seek employment in Malaysia. The AKPS confirmed that all 51 individuals would be deported on the earliest available flights.
"Security at the nation’s entry points will continue to be reinforced, with ongoing monitoring by AKPS to safeguard Malaysia’s sovereignty and security," the statement added.
