KUALA LUMPUR: A Bangladeshi owner of two clothing factories and two other premises has been detained along with 45 foreign workers in several raids in Ampang over the forgery of work permits.

       Immigration officers and personnel raided the clothing factories and the premises owned by the 46-year-old Bangladeshi man on Thursday.

       Immigration director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said investigations showed that the man had used forged work permits for foreign workers, known as PLKS, obtained from the “ID-Hack” syndicate to set up a company in the country.

       “He has been active in the clothing production industry in Klang Valley since 2012.

       “We found that he formed the company with the cooperation of locals and employed undocumented immigrants to maximise profits,” Khairul Dzaimee said in a statement yesterday.

       The “ID Hack” syndicate, which forged Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) stickers issued by the Malaysian Immigration System, was recently exposed following arrests in several cases.

       Khairul Dzaimee said the Bangladeshi suspect had also rented a few commercial premises which were used as factories, a workers’ hostel and a sale and retail centre.

       “He employed 45 foreigners who were paid RM1,600 a month. We believe he earns between RM130,000 and RM150,000 in revenue monthly,” he said.

       Khairul Dzaimee said the suspect’s illegal business had led to RM700,000 losses in foreign workers’ levies for the government.

       “We also detained 45 foreigners from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia during the raids.

       “Some of them even have the forged PLKS, produced by the ID-Hack syndicate,” he said.

       Various items, including cash from clothing sales, company documents, and several vehicle certificates registered under the suspect’s company were also seized.

       “Based on the ATM cards seized, the suspect has a large amount of cash. We have yet to ascertain the exact amount,” he said.

       Khairul Dzaimee said the suspect, along with a 37-year-old local female, who is the company’s director, were also being investigated for employing undocumented immigrants.

       “We will not compromise on taking action against anyone involved in forging department-issued documents.

       “We will step up efforts to track down the remaining work permits issued by the ID-Hack syndicate,” he said.