The Malaysian authorities have arrested as many as 118 foreign nationals, including two women, in a crackdown on illegal migrants in Kuala Lumpur. It is suspected that many Nepalis are among the arrested.

An eyewitness told the Post that most of the detainees were Bangladeshi and Nepali nationals. The number of Nepalis arrested in the crackdown on Saturday could not be ascertained immediately.

As many as 19 Nepalis were rounded up in a similar crackdown last week, when the Malaysian authorities had arrested 154 illegal migrant workers.

According to local news media, the Malaysian authorities rounded up migrant workers from Kota Raya Bazaar, a popular shopping area for migrant workers in the Malaysian capital. The Malaysian government arrested the migrant workers after they were found to be misusing visa and overstaying in the country, the local media reported.

The Malaysian authorities had asked the migrant workers to complete paper works from February 15 to June 30 if they were staying in the country illegally. The authorities swung into action soon after the programme was over.

Malaysia is home to around two million migrant workers and it is believed that as many are living in the country illegally. It is estimated that around 500,000 Nepalis are in Malaysia.

Businesses in various places in Kota Raya Bazaar have been greatly affected following the crackdown. Nepalis run around three dozen shops, restaurants and money transfer offices in the area. “Generally we have very good business on Saturdays and Sundays. The crackdown has greatly affected our business,” said a Nepali who owns a restaurant in the area.