496 illegal foreign security guards detained in ops

A total of 496 foreigners illegally employed as security guards were detained in an integrated enforcement operation last month.

The operation involving the home ministry, police, immigration department and the National Registration Department was carried out between Nov 1 and 17.

Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi said, the various parties were coordinated under a task force on Nov 1.

"The operation was carried out continuously to nab illegal foreign security guards and to monitor offences committed by security guard companies nationwide," he said in a statement Saturday.

He said the ministry had also issued 30 show-cause letters to security guard companies found to have flouted the Private Agencies Act 1971.

He said since 2010, the ministry had cancelled the licences of 43 companies for various offences under the Act.