KL detains 17 Japanese

KL detains 17 Japanese

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian authorities arrested 17 Japanese expatriates, including three women at an electronics factory in the northern state of Penang, officials said yesterday.

A state immigration department official said 17 of them, who were detained Friday, were working illegally as they were on social visit passes.

Penang, dubbed the "Silicon Valley" of Malaysia, houses one of the largest concentrations of hi-tech electronic factories from Japan, the United States and Europe.

He said the management of the factory told the department that it was "extremely difficult" to apply for work permits because of the red tape involved.

The management could face a maximum fine of between 10,000 ringgit (US$3,846) and 50,000 ringgit ($19,231).

Action would also be taken against the Japanese illegal workers. If found guilty, they could be jailed up to six months, fined 1,000 ringgit ($385 dollars), or both.